The White House announced Friday that the United States would lift the Covid-19 screening requirement for passengers arriving by plane in the country.
Due to the Omicron variant's arrival, the Omicron variant was introduced. Health authorities tightened their testing procedures for entry into the United States in December 2021. Travelers over 2 years old who board a flight from abroad in the United States must present a negative test no more than one day prior to take-off regardless of whether they have been immunized.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for President Obama, announced via Twitter that the requirement was being lifted. He said that the health authorities would continue to assess the need "based on science and the context in which the variants were circulated". According to US media, the obligation will be lifted on Sunday.
Many other countries, especially in Europe, no longer require international travelers to undergo a pre-boarding screening. In April, the United States lifted the requirement to wear a mask on public transport and planes, following a court ruling.
Experts estimate that the United States currently registers more than 100,000 cases of Covid-19 each day. Omicron subvariants are responsible for the recent surge.
The disease still kills approximately 300 people per day in the country, but authorities are now emphasizing the numerous remedies, which include vaccines and the antiviral Paxlovid for infection.
