Transportation Security Officer at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg
The US will require proof of a negative Covid-19 test before allowing visitors to fly into the country from other nations in an effort to help airlines regain at least some of the most profitable international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday that it had approved the new anti-pandemic measure, which will take effect on January 26.
Passengers must receive a test within three days before leaving for the United States and provide written documentation of a negative result. Airlines must confirm the information before allowing passengers to board The CDC said in a statement.
“Testing doesn’t eliminate all risks,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, “but combined with a period of stay at home and daily precautions, such as wearing masks and social distance, can make the trip safer, healthier and more responsible.” reducing the spread on airplanes, airports and destinations. ”
The rules are based on a federal the mandate from 28 December requires negative tests for passengers flying to the US from the UK, following the discovery of a new variant of the disease that is spreading faster. Comprehensive testing could potentially help revive travel demand between the US and other nations, which has been blocked for less than a quarter of 2019 due to virus fears and government travel restrictions.
The new standard would apparently replace a wider one entry ban for most non-US citizens traveling from 28 European nations, imposed by Department of Homeland Security following a March 11 presidential proclamation. DHS asked the CDC questions about this.
The trade group representing major US carriers, Airlines for America, wrote to Vice President Mike Pence on January 4 to support such a measure, saying it would promote key economic activity while protecting human safety.
“We believe that a well-planned program focused on increasing travel testing to United States it will promote these goals in a much more effective way than the current general travel restrictions, ”said the group known as A4A.
Some of the most profitable air routes to Europe have been among the worst affected by the pandemic. Passengers on US carriers on transatlantic flights fell by more than 85% last week compared to the same period a year ago, according to A4A data.
Canada said on December 30 that air travelers entering the country would need to be tested negative.