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Omicron threat: US' new testing rules to increase hassle for inbound travellers
White House said that the new testing rules are expected to take effect early next week.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced stricter restrictions for inbound travellers regardless of their nationality or vaccination status amid global alarm over Omicron variant of coronavirus. The new travel guidelines would require air travellers entering the United States to produce a negative test for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) within one day of boarding their flight.
This is expected to increase hassle for inbound travellers as the previous period was three days.
“This tighter testing timetable provides an added degree of protection as scientists continue to study the omicron variant,” Biden said.
The spokesperson for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the new testing requirement would strengthen the “already robust protocols” for international travellers.
The federal mask mandate requiring passengers to wear face masks on planes, trains, and buses has also been extended to March 18. The mandate was scheduled to expire in mid-January.
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While the new travel requirements of vaccination or negative test have not been extended to domestic fliers, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told a press conference that “nothing is off the table.” The fresh guidelines underscore the urgency with which the White House is acting in the wake of the Omicron variant first identified in South Africa but has been detected in many countries since then.
However, the hassle has somewhat been offset by other relaxations, including allowing the use of rapid antigen tests instead of requiring more costly PCR tests. The insurance companies have been directed to cover the cost of the Covid test, which could be an added relief for the travellers.
White House said that the new testing rules are expected to take effect early next week.
The United States has reported cases of Omicron variant from California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York state.
