United Airlines will now require travelers from the UK to report the results of their negative COVID-19 tests before boarding.
As of December 28, the Chicago-based airline will require test results – of tests performed “no later than 72 hours before departure” – of passengers bound for the US scheduled to leave London Heathrow Airport (LHR) . The test will apply to travelers departing for each US destination that United Airlines flies to: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and International Airport of San Francisco (SFO).
The new requirement applies only to passengers from the United Kingdom, and not to those connecting for flights to the United States at Heathrow.
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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented on United’s announcement on Thursday, saying the move “would strengthen existing travel protocols”.
“As we continue to have a second wave of COVID-19 cases, it is critical that we take any and all precautions to mitigate the potential for further transmission,” said Murphy. “While New Jersey continues to discourage all non-essential travel at this time, if it is unavoidable, international travelers should adhere to CDC guidance for pre- and post-flight testing and the recommended self-quarantine period.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented on United’s announcement on Thursday, saying the move “would strengthen existing travel protocols”.
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By requiring passengers from the UK to provide negative COVID-19 tests, United Airlines joins several other airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, Delta and British Airways, all of which announced similar requirements earlier this week following a direct order from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“The tension is so severe that the UK has closed again,” Cuomo said on Monday. “We are aware of that. Why don’t we act smartly for a change? Why don’t we require testing before people board or do we suspend UK flights now? Many other countries have done this.”
Prior to United’s latest requirement for passengers from the United Kingdom, the airline instituted a series of safety and health protocols designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including mask orders and requiring passengers to complete a “ready to go” checklist. fly “, recognizing that they had not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days and had no related symptoms.
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Beginning December 17, United Airlines also began asking passengers to voluntarily provide a variety of information in the hope of speeding up contact tracking efforts. The program started with the arrival of international passengers, with expansion plans for all passengers in the coming weeks.
Recently, however, a passenger on a Monday flight with United Airlines died after a medical emergency on the plane. Subsequently, a coroner’s office determined that the cause of death was respiratory failure and COVID-19, although that flight originated in Florida, not the United Kingdom.
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Alexandra Deabler contributed to this report.