US expected to lift COVID-19 test for travellers entering the country

The US president's administration, Joe Biden, will announce today the removal of the measure for negative coronavirus tests for travellers entering the country, a senior media administration official said.

According to foreign media, the move will go into effect for US destination air travellers Sunday at midnight.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are said to have established that science and data mean that tests are no longer necessary. CDC will review the decision again in three months.

The travel industry had lobbied for months against restriction, which had been in force since January 2021.

The official said the Biden administration plans to work with airlines to ensure a smooth transition. The travel industry, as well as some scientists and lawmakers, including the Democrats, had been critical of the demand, saying it was no longer necessary.

Since December CDC, it has demanded that travelers take the test a day before flights to the US, to prove they are negative, but that they are not worth the ground crossings.