COVID-19 Tests Will No Longer Be Required to Enter the US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed the requirement that travelers must test negative for COVID-19 at least one day before entering US territory. The former policy required a valid negative COVID-19 to enter the US. The new measure, which started on June 12, will be evaluated by the CDC during a 90-day period. 

This requirement can be reinstated if the CDC determines that it is necessary, said Kevin Muñoz, Assistant to the White House Press Secretary: “CDC will evaluate its science-based need in the context of circulating variants of COVID-19.” During 2021, Biden’s administration tightened previous travel restrictions, especially for non-essential travelers from countries such as China, Brazil, South Africa, India, Iran and the vast majority of the EU. 

The tourism sector has been one of the most affected by the regulations and travel restrictions implemented over the past two years. Airlines stocks gained territory after the news came out, and an S&P index of airlines reversed early losses to gain less than 1 percent by 9:40 a.m. in New York. American Airlines Group advanced 1.8 percent, United Airlines Holdings was up 1 percent and Delta Air Lines entered positive territory, according to El Financiero.  

US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo unveiled a new strategy on June 06, 2022, to help international tourism that was deeply affected by the travel restrictions. Its goal is to receive  90 million international visitors by 2027, which can only be accomplished with the support of the US Federal Government. “There are a lot of industries that are well past COVID-19 – travel and tourism are not,” said Raimondo. Restrictions alienated tourists from entering the US during these past two years, while many other countries did not require testing, she added. 

During 2020, Mexico was the third most visited country which can be attributed to the low restrictions required to enter the country. In Mexico, the tourism sector grew over 43 percent during the first four months of 2022 with foreign income from international tourists at US$8.67 billion, 123.8 percent more than during the first quarter of 2021, informed the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR). Tourism was still 20.8 percent lower before de COVID-19 pandemic, however, with over 14.7 million foreign tourists entering Mexico.