Americans can again order COVID-19 tests straight to their homes without being charged. The tests will begin shipping via the United States Postal Service as soon as next week.
International travelers flying to the United States will no longer need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding their flights to the U.S., a senior Biden administration official said Friday, ending one of the nation’s last pandemic-related travel requirements.
The requirement will end at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its coronavirus guidance for domestic travel, urging travelers to take a test close to departure regardless of vaccination status.
The agency said on its website that anyone traveling within the United States should think about “getting tested as close to the time of departure as possible,” no more than three days ahead of a trip. The agency previously only recommended testing before domestic travel for those not up to date on their coronavirus vaccinations.
In most transportation scenarios, no. But remember that the mask mandate doesn’t just apply to planes and airports. It also applied to trains, ferries, buses, ride-shares, taxis, trolleys and other transportation hubs.
Some mask mandates were staying in place. Public transit riders in New York City will still need to wear a face covering on subways, buses and trains, local media reported. Philadelphia International Airport is requiring masks under a city mandate.
Entry rules are being removed for all travelers to Greece next month in a boost for the summer.
The easing of Covid-related restrictions comes as the country prepares for the peak season when a record number of tourists are expected to visit.
Health minister Thanos Plevris announced that restrictions will be lifted.
This includes travelers from EU and non-EU countries including the UK, plus vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
Masks will continue to be required until at least May 3 when flying commercially and in other transportation settings, including on buses, ferries and subways, while health officials monitor an uptick in coronavirus cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
The federal website where Americans can order free coronavirus rapid tests will be launched Wednesday and allow each household to order up to four tests, senior administration officials said Friday.
As countries around the world react to the new and little-understood omnicrom variant of the coronavirus, travelers are once again facing unexpected border closures, evolving entry rules and a dark cloud of potential cancellations.
The United States on Wednesday joined the list of more than 20 countries that detected cases of the new variant, health authorities said. It wasn’t immediately clear if that would trigger new restrictions for Americans traveling to other countries.
“The delta variant has upended everything. It is very important for people to recalibrate their risk,” said Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University. “Some people may decide that nothing has changed for them, and that’s reasonable. But for families with young children in particular who are not yet vaccinated, they should consider using much more caution than before.”
