AHLA lauds reports anticipating a lift of COVID-19 tests for international travel to US

The Biden Administration is expected to announce the lifting of a COVID-19 testing requirement for international travelers entering the US, according to multiple media reports.

Calling it “a significant win for hotels and the broader travel industry,” American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers said, “AHLA consistently called on the Administration and Congress to lift this testing requirement.”

Rogers said the requirement was “out of date” and “had a chilling effect on inbound international travel to the US.”

“Lifting the requirement will make travel easier, facilitating more international visitors and helping hotels continue on the road to recovery, especially as we approach peak travel season this summer,” said Rogers.

*Update: The CDC has since announced that the Order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, will be rescinded, effective on June 12, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. ET. This means that starting at that time, air passengers will not need to get tested and show the COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the US.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association is the sole national association representing all segments of the US lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, DC, AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward.

The AHLA thanked the Biden Administration as well as Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for their leadership in pushing for what the association calls a “critical change.”