When will it end? White House says no plans to ditch international testing requirements
The White House today, April 5, 2022, said there are no immediate plans to lift the COVID-19 testing requirement for inbound international travelers. In a press briefing, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients says, "No, there are no plans to change the international travel requirements at this point."
Paddle Your Own Kanoo was the first to notice the news from Zients.
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It is interesting timing for the comments since the mask mandate is slated to expire on April 18, and since Zients is leaving his post later this month. Dr. Ashish K. Jha is set to replace him as COVID-19 advisor sometime in April.
The mask mandate was set to expire in January but has been extended for three months and could be extended once more. Many travel groups are actively campaigning for an end to the mask mandate. The requirement for testing has also been seen by many in the travel space as onerous.
Last month, U.S. airlines asked President Biden to drop the mask mandate and the requirement for testing, but so far the White House isn't budging.
"With the Ba.2 COVID-19 variant on the upswing in Europe and in the U.S., I understand why there may be hesitancy to drop the testing requirement now," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research, "However once again, the U.S. is lagging behind some of our European friends in how they approach COVID-19 and travel."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rules, "you will need to get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status or citizenship) no more than one day before you travel by air into the United States. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight."
Related: Travel industry groups urge White House to temporarily drop predeparture test for vaccinated flyers
Harteveldt said America is late to the party, "... many European countries ... have dropped their COVID-19 testing requirements for international visitors including for Americans, but the U.S. is keeping the testing requirements. It not only risks reducing the appeal of the U.S. to international visitors but could reduce Americans' interest in traveling abroad as well."
"From my perspective, I think if the U.S. dropped the testing requirement… it would be reasonable," said Harteveldt, who continued, "And I’m sure the U.S. travel industry including airlines, hotel groups destination marketing organizations and others are eagerly hoping the U.S. will reconsider its testing requirement for inbound travelers from abroad."
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees