Is it time to reconsider travel mandates related to COVID-19 in the US?

Despite ongoing pressure from both travel organizations and travelers, the Biden Administration has not signaled that the current pre-travel testing requirement for incoming travelers to the United States, which necessitates a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival, will be lifted, especially while the federal transport mask mandate is still enforced.

On Wednesday evening, leaders of major U.S. airlines requested President Biden to eliminate both the mask mandate and the testing requirement, but there has yet to be a response from the White House.

Looking ahead to next month, when the mask mandate may potentially ease, here’s why the US might also reconsider its reentry testing policies.

Many other countries are abandoning testing requirements.

Since early 2022, numerous countries have lifted their previously imposed COVID-19 travel restrictions. Some nations no longer require any tests, while others only mandate testing upon arrival. Many places are completely eliminating mask mandates, and some are permitting travel as it was before the pandemic, without extra paperwork or requirements.

Among these locations, certain destinations have implemented new rules that apply to all incoming travelers, irrespective of their vaccination status, while others have eased restrictions mainly for fully vaccinated travelers.

As of March 23, fully vaccinated travelers can enter a wide array of countries like France, Ireland, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya without any testing requirements.

This allows these travelers to enter those nations without concerns about COVID-19 testing ... at least on their way there. However, some countries, such as Canada, still require travelers to complete an online form prior to departure to confirm vaccination status and other health information.

There are still some countries that require vaccinated travelers to undergo testing at certain points during their journey, including several in Asia like Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Conversely, many nations in Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and South America do not take vaccination status into account when establishing entry requirements.

Indoor mask mandates have mostly been lifted, except for public transportation.

In addition to testing protocols, mask mandates vary widely.

Masks are still generally required on public transit, both within the country and internationally. However, many indoor settings have relaxed these rules, with exceptions in places like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Slovenia, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In rare instances, such as in Nepal, masks are required outdoors as well.

The glaring issue, of course, is that the U.S. federal government continues to mandate that all travelers (both Americans and others) wear face masks on public transportation, including flights and in airports, at least until mid-April, even though no states currently require their residents to do so.

Is there data to back such mandates?

In their announcements of relaxed regulations, officials from various countries have referenced data to justify the removal of certain protocols. They believe these measures are no longer necessary due to increased vaccination rates and a decline in new COVID-19 cases in their regions. Economic factors are likely influencing this decision as well.

If data is indeed guiding these relaxed rules, it begs the question: which data? For instance, the U.S. does not even track how many international travelers test positive before traveling.

Airlines have undertaken their own studies on the effectiveness of pre-departure testing. Their findings indicate that the risk of exposure while traveling is less than 0.1% if all passengers test negative 72 hours prior to their flight, based on that timeframe for incoming travelers. Doesn’t this support the case for maintaining a testing protocol?

"Research indicates that the risk of transmission on a flight is about 1 in a million. Dr. Jenny Yu, MD, head of medical affairs at Healthline Media, noted that pre-departure testing and mask requirements provided essential layers of protection to reassure travelers during peak COVID-19 times. "It's logical to consider these measures collectively—what minimizes risk the most."

There is still insufficient concrete information on how many international travelers have been denied access to U.S.-bound flights due to testing positive before departure.

New daily cases nationwide have been gradually declining since the end of January, as reported by data from The New York Times.

"With vaccination rates now higher than before, pre-travel testing has proven less effective in identifying positive cases. Studies show that proper ventilation and mask usage significantly reduce transmission risks," Dr. Yu added. "These strategies present challenges for airlines and travelers alike, but given the variability of emerging variants, it’s sensible to focus on the method that mitigates risks most effectively—science supports mask-wearing."

What does frustration truly signify?

In addition to the scarcity of relevant data, travelers are expressing significant frustration, feeling as though regulatory authorities are finally beginning to listen to their concerns.

"This signifies that we are the first major economy to return to the kind of unrestricted travel we enjoyed prior to COVID-19," stated United Kingdom Transport Secretary Grant Shapps when announcing the elimination of entry requirements for all travelers to the U.K. on March 15. "I've heard the voices of passengers and airlines alike... that the Passenger Locator Form is a burden that has simply outlived its purpose. No more quarantines, no more tests, and no more forms. International travel is back on track."

Beyond just frustration, there is an undeniable economic aspect as countries welcome travelers back, reflecting the financial strain experienced by both nations and travelers due to lost tourism revenue and testing expenses, respectively.

Let’s be honest, testing can often be a logistical headache.

On one hand, the U.S. offers considerable flexibility by allowing travelers to present both PCR and rapid antigen tests for entry, alongside proof of recovery for those who have recently overcome the virus. Furthermore, the U.S. accepts at-home tests like Abbott's BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test that are supervised remotely online, providing travelers with greater convenience.

While this flexibility is beneficial, obtaining tests can be challenging depending on your location. Additionally, travelers might face delays in receiving their results, and the pressure of timing the test within a 24-hour window leaves them with significantly less time to secure a COVID-19 test before their flight.

This could complicate travel arrangements for those with tightly packed schedules or for individuals in remote areas where testing resources are limited.

In summary

As for U.S. officials' willingness to lift current mask and pre-departure testing requirements, we can only speculate since the White House, which chose not to comment for this story, remains tight-lipped.

It’s possible that the U.S. government is waiting for other countries to take the lead before it makes any changes itself. If this is true, then it likely has the necessary information. However, some travel experts believe that other world leaders may be looking to the U.S. for guidance, which could accelerate the lifting of both mask and pre-departure testing requirements currently in effect.

Conflicting data also exists. While case numbers are indeed dropping overall and there’s evidence suggesting that pre-flight testing is beneficial, how significant is this when the likelihood of catching the virus on a flight remains relatively low?

"If health trends continue as they have in recent weeks, I wouldn't be surprised to see the mask mandate lifted by mid-April," said Henry Harteveldt, president of the Atmosphere Research Group based in San Francisco.

Certainly, all parties are aware of the new omicron variant, BA.2, which is spreading rapidly across various regions in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. This could complicate the removal of remaining domestic mandates.

Just last night, Airlines for America, which advocates for domestic airlines, called on the White House to abolish both mandates, referencing data that shows a "consistent and steady decline in hospitalization and death rates," alongside similar actions taken by other governments.

"The time has come for the Administration to lift federal transportation travel restrictions—specifically the international pre-departure testing requirement and the federal mask mandate—that no longer reflect the current epidemiological landscape," the group stated. "The widespread immunity in the U.S., the availability of high-quality masks for those who choose to wear them, hospital-grade air circulation, extensive vaccine distribution, and newly accessible therapeutics form a solid basis...to eliminate the mask mandate and pre-departure testing requirements."