As the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it made traveling abroad difficult for many people. This led countries to close their borders until they could be properly vaccinated while others put up a strict COVID test requirement.
During Trump’s administration, the country put up a testing requirement in 2021. With Biden’s presidency, the requirement grew stricter.
The airline industry required travelers from abroad to present a negative COVID test. Those who were traveling by car were not required to undergo the test.
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However, the Biden administration recently lifted a requirement on Sunday ending one of most prolonged travel restrictions during pandemic times.
The administration was asked to abandon this requirement by airlines because it significantly reduced demand for international trips.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom expressed his frustration with the current flight rule in Washington D.C., calling it “nonsensical.”
Several figures in the industry have celebrated this decision, which will undoubtedly be good news for many people looking to travel again.
“The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry,” said Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association. “International inbound travel is vitally important to businesses and workers across the country who have struggled to regain losses from this valuable sector.”
Mike Liptak, the vice president of government relations for the Travel Technology Association, said that travel and tourism are crucial to recovering from pandemic
The CEO of Airlines for America, Nick Calio announced his excitement about the decision and said they are looking forward to working with the Biden administration in order to make sure air travel policies prioritize safety as well as customer experience.
Senior Biden administration officials have announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will reassess their decision after 90 days.
“If there is a need to reinstate a pre-departure testing requirement – including due to a new, concerning variant – CDC will not hesitate to act,” said the official.
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Reference:
The U.S. Lifts COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Inbound International Air Travelers
