U.S. dropping COVID testing for international flyers
STORY: After heavy lobbying from airlines and the travel industry, the Biden administration will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for travelers coming to the United States - effective Sunday.
The news comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined based on the science and data that the requirement is no longer necessary, according to an official.
With the busy summer travel season fast approaching, carriers were already bracing for record demand.
But airlines have said that many Americans are not traveling internationally because of concerns they will test positive and be stranded abroad.
Meanwhile, many countries in Europe and elsewhere have already dropped testing requirements.
Mask-wearing during travel has been another area of debate.
In April, a federal judge declared the CDC's requirements that travelers wear masks on airplanes and in transit hubs like airports unlawful and the administration stopped enforcing it. The Justice Department has appealed the order but no decision is likely before Fall at the earliest.
The CDC is still requiring most non-U.S. citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel to the United States.
After 90 days, the agency will do a reassessment of its decision to drop pre-departure COVID-19 international air testing requirements, and take steps accordingly.
