An agent for the transportation safety administration at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger / Bloomberg
The US will have to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test before visitors are allowed to fly from other countries to the country, in an effort to help airlines recover at least some of their most lucrative international flights.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it approves the new anti-pandemic measure that goes into effect on January 26.
This requires travelers to receive a test within three days before leaving for the US and to provide written documentation of a negative result. Airlines must confirm the information before boarding passengers, the CDC said in the statement.
“The test does not eliminate all risks,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield. ‘But when combined with a period of staying home and everyday precautions such as wearing masks and social distance, it can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible by reducing the spread on planes, airports and destinations. ”
The rules build on a federal mandate begins December 28 requiring negative testing for passengers flying from the UK to the US, following the discovery of a new variant of the disease that is spreading faster. Comprehensive tests could potentially help revive demand for travel between the U.S. and other countries, trapped at less than a quarter of 2019 levels due to virus fears and government travel restrictions.
The new standard would apparently replace a broader one ban on access for most non-US citizens traveling from 28 European countries imposed by the country Department of Homeland Security following a presidential proclamation on 11 March. The DHS addressed questions on the matter to CDC.
The trade group representing major American airlines, Airlines for America, wrote to Vice President Mike Pence on January 4 to support such a measure, saying it would promote essential economic activity while also protecting the safety of people. .
‘We believe that a well-planned program is focused on increasing the testing of travelers to the country United States will advance these goals in a much more effective way than the current travel restrictions, ‘the group known as A4A said.
Some of the most lucrative flights to Europe were hit by the pandemic, one of the worst. Passengers aboard U.S. trucks on trans-Atlantic flights fell by more than 85% in the past week, according to A4A data, compared to the same period a year ago.
Canada said on December 30 that air travelers were entering the country to get a negative test.