remaining federal mandates aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus, according to the AP.
The initial mandate allowed those who were fully vaccinated to show proof of a negative test within three days of travel, while unvaccinated people were required to present a test taken within one day of travel.
However, later in the year, as the Omicron variant began to surge, the Biden administration toughened the requirement and required all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, to test within a day of travel to the U.S.
Airline and tourism groups have been asking the Biden administration for months to do away with the rule.
“I’m glad CDC suspended the burdensome coronavirus testing requirement for international travelers, and I’ll continue to do all I can to support the strong recovery of our hospitality industry,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said in a statement.
Cases in the United States have been relatively flat at around 110,000 a day on average over the past two weeks, according to a New York Times database, after rising from lower than 30,000 a few months ago.
However, infections may be undercounted due to at-home test results not officially being reported. Additionally, many people with no or mild symptoms may not test at all. Death counts in recent weeks have remained below 400 per day on average.
If you test positive for COVID, the CDC recommends isolating and delaying travel for 10 days regardless of symptoms or if a negative test is taken within the isolation period.
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on traveling and COVID.