The U.S. Government lifts Covid-19 test requirements for international travelers
The U.S. government lifts Covid-19 test requirements designed to mitigate the spread of the virus in the country. In doing so, the USA has become one of the latest countries to end its Covid-19 travel restrictions.
In January 2021, the Trump administration implemented new travel restrictions. Which have since been reviewed and updated by the present Biden administration. The health authorities mandated inbound travelers to show a negative Covid-19 test result. Or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States. The restrictions applied to all travelers, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship; only children under two years of age were exempt.
Related: New Travel Requirements For Inbound Travelers Into Nigeria
The travel industry has been stepping up its efforts to get the Biden administration to end COVID-19 pre-departure testing requirements for international air travel. Which they say has left travelers in fear of getting stranded abroad, which deterred travel bookings.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that the United States no longer requires air travelers to show a negative Covid-19 test before entering the country upon arrival. The new policy will go into effect on the 12th of June 2022, at 12:01 AM eastern time.
Related: Covid-19: Nigerian Government Lifts Curfew And Large Gatherings Restriction
The U.S. Department of Health authorities said the drop in the country’s Covid-19 travel requirement was due to “remarkable progress” in fighting the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has entered a new phase. Because of the widespread uptake of highly effective vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the buildup of vaccine and infection-induced immunity across the population in the United States.
The United States Government has granted a waiver in this case. Even though it was necessary at an earlier stage of the outbreak. Travelers planning to fly to the U.S. should get tested for current infections. As close as possible to departure (only three days before departure) and not travel if they are sick.
Related: African Countries Are Experiencing The Longest-Running Decline In COVID-19 Cases
A testing requirement will adjust if the situation changes based on the latest science and the state of the pandemic.
