The US is expected to require all travelers to obtain a COVID-19 test within one day prior to travel.

According to a report by the Washington Post on Tuesday, the U.S. is gearing up to significantly shorten the testing timeframe for travelers returning to the country, regardless of their vaccination status.

Under the new regulation, all travelers must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test conducted no more than one day before their departure. This updates the previous policy, which allowed a testing window of three days prior to travel and has been effective since January. The new rule will take effect for flights departing on or after December 6, 2021.

This decision follows the World Health Organization's classification of the omicron variant as a 'variant of concern,' indicating it is the most serious category. The variant may spread more easily and features multiple mutations in the spike protein that could reduce its responsiveness to COVID-19 vaccines. Early indications suggest it may also be more virulent than previous variants.

Previously, the White House indicated that it did not foresee additional travel restrictions being implemented due to the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant.

According to the Post, the Biden Administration is contemplating a requirement for U.S.-bound travelers to undergo another COVID-19 test within three to five days of arriving in the U.S. They are also considering mandating a seven-day quarantine for all travelers, even those who test negative. The enforcement of this policy remains uncertain. Various jurisdictions, such as New York City, have implemented different quarantine measures for both domestic and international travelers throughout the pandemic.

Last week, the Biden administration enacted a ban on entry to the United States for travelers from eight South African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. This temporary restriction affects individuals who have been in these countries within the 14 days prior to their attempt to enter the U.S., but it does not apply to American citizens or permanent residents. Non-U.S. citizens from the affected regions face entry limitations, with some exceptions.

The new testing mandate is the first regulation impacting U.S. citizens, applying to all travelers regardless of vaccination status. As noted earlier, unvaccinated U.S. travelers are now required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day prior to their departure. This policy came into effect in early November.

It remains uncertain if U.S. airlines have been briefed on the new policy, which obligates them to verify travelers' negative COVID-19 test results. What is evident is that all travelers, vaccinated or not, will need to secure COVID-19 testing with minimal flexibility, posing challenges, especially for those in remote areas or regions facing testing shortages. Self-testing remains a viable option, with numerous popular brands like Abbott offering testing kits.