US dropping international COVID-19 testing requirement for travel into America
Editor's Note
After midnight on Sunday, travelers entering the U.S. will no longer have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
The testing mandate will end for passengers boarding flights after 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement the agency tweeted Saturday morning.
The CDC’s announcement comes after Assistant White House press secretary Kevin Munoz confirmed Friday that the Biden Administration would end the requirement. CNN first reported Friday morning that the announcement was imminent.
Citing a “new phase” in the pandemic, the CDC pointed to the availability of therapeutics as well as widespread COVID-19 immunity produced by a combination of vaccinations and infections as the rationale for ending a requirement that "was needed at an earlier stage in the pandemic.”
Although the federal mask mandate for air travelers was overruled by a federal judge in late April and allowed to expire on May 3, the testing requirement had remained in place despite intense pressure from airline and travel industry groups. Critics have said that the mandate does not appear to have had any impact on limiting the spread of COVID-19 cases or new variants.
Many other countries and jurisdictions, including the European Union and Canada, have already dropped similar requirements. The United States has remained the most prominent holdout among Western nations in requiring incoming travelers to submit a test to enter, despite various calls from U.S. airlines, the U.S. Senate, the international travel industry and travelers themselves to ditch it.
"Today marks another huge step forward for the recovery of inbound air travel and the return of international travel to the United States," U.S. Travel Association president Roger Dow said in a statement. "The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry."
Airlines for America, the trade group representing most major U.S. airlines, issued similar sentiments.
"Lifting this policy will help encourage and restore air travel to the United States, benefiting communities across the country that rely heavily on travel and tourism to support their local economies," president and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said. "We are eager to welcome the millions of travelers who are ready to come to the U.S. for vacation, business and reunions with loved ones."
The CDC first implemented the predeparture testing requirement in January 2021, and its terms have changed multiple times since then. Initially, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, were able to supply proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before their flight departed for the U.S.
This changed in November when the government started requiring unvaccinated U.S. travelers to test within one day of departure while allowing vaccinated travelers to continue following the three-day window.
In December, the government streamlined entry requirements by shortening the previous testing window to require all travelers, independent of vaccination status, to test within one day of departure for the U.S.
Throughout its iterations, the predeparture testing rule has applied equally to Americans and non-U.S. citizens alike, though entry by the latter group has always been restricted to those who can show they are fully vaccinated.
Despite rescinding the requirement, the CDC issued a recommendation that travelers boarding a flight to the U.S. get tested within three days of departure and not travel if they are sick.
Additional reporting by Sean Cudahy and Caroline Tanner.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.