Transportation Security Administration Agent at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg
The United States will require proof of a Covid-19 negative test before allowing visitors to fly from other nations to the country in an effort to help airlines recover at least some of their most profitable international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday that they had approved the new anti-pandemic measure that will take effect on January 26.
It requires travelers to take a test within three days before leaving for the USA and provide written documentation of a negative result. Airlines must confirm information before allowing passengers to board, CDC said in the statement.
“The test does not eliminate all risks,” said CDC director Robert Redfield, “but when combined with a period of stay at home and daily precautions, such as wearing masks and social distance, it can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible, reducing the spread in airplanes, airports and destinations. “
The rules are based on a federal system mandate starting on December 28 demanding negative tests for passengers flying from the UK to the USA, after the discovery of a new variant of the disease that spreads more rapidly. Comprehensive tests could help revive travel demand between the U.S. and other nations, which is stagnating at less than a quarter of 2019 levels because of fear of viruses and government travel restrictions.
The new standard would apparently replace a broader one entry ban for most non-American citizens traveling from 28 European countries that was imposed by the Department of Homeland Security after a presidential proclamation on March 11. DHS referred questions about the matter to the CDC.
The commercial group representing major US airlines, Airlines for America, wrote to Vice President Mike Pence on January 4 to support such a move, saying it would promote essential economic activities while protecting people’s safety.
“We believe in a well-planned program focused on increasing traveler testing for the U.S it will promote these goals in a much more effective way than the general travel restrictions currently in place, ”said the group known as A4A.
Some of the most profitable air routes to Europe are among those hardest hit by the pandemic. Passengers on board US airlines on transatlantic flights fell more than 85% last week compared to the same period last year, according to data from A4A.
Canada he said on December 30 that he would require travelers entering the country to obtain a negative test.