(CNN) – Many travelers in the United States and abroad have been waiting for it. The travel industry has pushed for this. And on Sunday the requirement for travelers to be negative for Covid-19 before entering the US ends. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited a “new phase” of the pandemic in a statement confirming the change. “The widespread absorption of highly effective Covid-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapies, and the accumulation of high rates of immunity to vaccines and infections in the general population in the United States have helped reduce the risk of serious illness and death.” . Navigating the ever-changing entry requirements around the world has caused great confusion for travelers everywhere. See what we know about how the new policy will affect US arrivals:
When will the pre-trip test requirement be lifted?
The claim expires on Sunday, June 12, at 12:01 p.m. ET. This means that flights departing to the US from a foreign country during or after this time no longer need to show a negative test result or recovery documentation in the last 90 days from Covid-19. Departures before this time will require testing.
Is the decision final?
Like many measures targeting Covid-19, the rules are subject to change. “The CDC is continuing to assess the latest science and pandemic status and will reassess the need for a testing requirement if the situation changes,” the agency said in a statement. A senior Biden government official told CNN on Friday that the CDC would reconsider its decision in 90 days.
Do foreign arrivals in the US still have to be vaccinated?
Yes. The vaccination requirement for foreigners has not changed. Children under 17 are not required to be vaccinated.
What about unvaccinated Americans?
The end-of-test requirement applies to all travelers previously required to have a negative test result, and vaccination requirements to enter the United States do not apply to U.S. citizens.
What is the CDC travel recommendation?
The CDC continues to advise travelers to stay informed about vaccinations and to be tested for infection before and after the trip and after any known exposure to a person with Covid-19. The CDC also continues to recommend the use of masks in public transport spaces. Masks are no longer required.
Are arrivals at land borders and ferry ports affected by the rule change?
No. The rule change applies to air travel. No Covid-19 test is required for entry through land port or ferry. Travelers 18 years and older outside the US must be fully vaccinated to enter the US.
What does Dr. Leana Wen, a CNN medical analyst, say about this?
There were good reasons for the test requirements to be elsewhere during the pandemic, said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen, but these reasons no longer apply. “Requiring testing does not do much, if anything, to keep the coronavirus out of the United States, but it does create a significant barrier for people wishing to travel abroad and return,” Wen said in an email. “Of course, if people have symptoms or exposure while traveling, they should be tested and, if positive, follow the CDC isolation guidelines.” CNN’s Elizabeth Cohen and Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report. Top image: Madrid-Barajas Airport (Emilio Parra Doiztua / Bloomberg / Getty Images)
