The Biden administration is being urged to replace US pandemic-era travel advisories.
This should include repealing the pre-departure testing rule for vaccinated inbound air travellers.
The US Travel Association and other trade bodies called for “endemic-focused” policies that enable travel to fully resume and the American economy to accelerate its recovery.
The appeal to the White House came after new guidance was issued on Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to relax many Covid-era policies, including indoor mask wearing.
The coalition of US travel groups said: “Given travel’s slow economic recovery, and in light of the improved public health metrics in the US and medical advancements to prevent the worst outcomes of Covid-19, the Biden administration should now take steps to normalise travel conditions.
“These policies are crucial to restoring the US economy and workforce as travel was the largest services-based US export prior to the pandemic.”
The industry group’s recommendations to restore US travel include:
- Removing the pre-departure testing requirement for all fully vaccinated inbound international arrivals.
- By March 18, repeal the federal mask mandate for public transportation networks or provide a clear roadmap to remove the mask mandate within 90 days.
- End “Avoid Travel” advisories and the use of travel bans.
- Work with other countries to normalise travel conditions and entry requirements.
- Develop benchmarks and timelines for a pathway to the new normal that repeals pandemic-focused travel restrictions by June 1.
- Send a clear message to the American public and the world that it is safe to travel again, particularly for vaccinated individuals.
“Effective, risk-based policies can be reinstated at any time if new variants of concern emerge or the public health situation deteriorates,” the group added.
“It is now time for the administration to lead the country towards a new normal for travel and on a faster path to a full and even economic recovery.
“This industry group remains ready to assist the Biden administration in advancing these necessary endemic-era policies and restoring the US travel economy.”