The United States Lifts Covid Related International Travel Restrictions

The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that all travelers test negative for the coronavirus before flying to the United States, under pressure from airlines that viewed the measure as excessive and blamed it for depressing ticket purchases.

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The change will take effect just after midnight on June 12. It will be reassessed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 90 days, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail the plan before it was released.

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Under the current policy, international travelers to the United States must present proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within a day of their departure flight to the United States. However, the health agency could decide to reinstate the requirement if a concerning new variant of the virus emerges, the official said. The administration will continue to recommend testing before air travel but believes coronavirus vaccines and new treatments have eased the requirement.

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According to biosecurity expert Eric Toner, the move is unlikely to significantly increase the risk of the spread of coronavirus in the United States. However, he said travelers should always wear masks when flying to reduce the risk of spread.