More than 260 travel industry and business organizations sent a letter Thursday to the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha urging him for an immediate lifting of the pre-departure testing requirement for vaccinated international air visitors.
The groups argue within the letter the country can now control diseases thanks to modern public health instruments, which a number of other countries have already taken steps to remove testing.
“The wide range of public health tools to effectively manage COVID-19, combined with hospital grade ventilation systems onboard airplanes and the inbound vaccination requirement, also have made international air travel safer than ever,” the group says in the letter.
The economic implications of sustaining the policy, based on the letter, are enormous, with foreign trip spending falling by 78 percent from 2022 levels.
Eliminating the requirement of vaccinated passengers to endure pre-departure testing would hasten the resumption of international visit and in the Usa.
The Transportation Security Administration ceased implementing what the law states requiring masks on planes, trains and other public transportation after it had been overturned with a federal judge in April, another item these groups wanted it to be removed.
These groups now think that full vaccination should be enough to prevent the spread from the virus.
“Stronger immunity provided by vaccinations, boosters and prior infections, as well as effective treatments to avoid the worst connection between COVID-19, have enabled Americans to safely return to work, schools and normal activities-all without resorting to indoor masks, frequent testing and physical distancing.” the letter reads.
These factors strongly offer the elimination of the pre-departure testing requirement of vaccinated international air travelers,”
The letter’s signatories include Disney, American Airlines, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Los Angeles World Airports, Port Authority of recent York and New Jersey, the United States Travel Association, United States Tour Operators Association, and also the United States Chamber of Commerce, amongst others.
