Since January 2021, the U.S. has insisted all travelers entering the country must take COVID-19 tests — even if those travelers are fully vaccinated. The White House recently announced that this requirement isn’t set to change quite yet.
In December 2021, the testing rules became even more stringent to slow the spread of the omicron variant. Instead of requiring travelers to get tested within three days before departure, the changes forced people to get tested within one day prior to departure.
The federal government is facing more pressure every day to drop testing requirements, but the current administration is hesitant.
President Biden’s COVID-19 coordinator, Jeff Zients, stated at a Tuesday press conference that there are no current plans to change requirements.
The decision not to end testing rules contrasts with the policies of Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, all of which have removed testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors.
Testing rules aren’t the only thing that some people wish would end. Federal transportation mask mandates are also becoming increasingly unpopular.
In January, the U.S. reached an all-time high of new cases, with over 800,000 in one day. The spike was short-lived, though, and case rates are once again relatively low.