Industry Welcome US Pre-Departure Test Removal

On Friday the 10th of June, the Foreign Office (FCDO) confirmed that the US pre-departure tests would be removed from yesterday, with visitors no longer required to test. 

Following earlier reports in the US that claimed the Biden administration was ready for US pre-departure testing to be removed, for all visitors regardless of vaccination status, the UK travel industry was poised and ready for the confirmation that came only days later from the FCDO. These updates were fulfilled on the Foreign Travel Advice page swiftly.  

The Foreign Office confirmed that the US pre-departure testing would be removed for all visitors, vaccinated and unvaccinated, from Sunday, the 12th of June.  

“From 05:01 BST on Sunday 12 June 2022, passengers boarding flights bound to the USA will no longer require a pre-departure COVID-19 test.” 

Previous to this change, travellers to the US were required to provide evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours pre-departure. Since this announcement, travellers to the US will also no longer be required to wear face coverings on public transport within the US.  

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also stated that they will review the testing requirements every 90 days, assessing whether it is necessary to put it back in place or not. 

Vaccinated travellers will still need to provide proof of vaccination when they enter the US. Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to be US citizens, US Nationals, or US Lawful Permanent Residents in order to enter the country.   

In response to this much-anticipated news, many UK travel businesses are celebrating this change and congratulating the decision. Those offering holidays in the US are currently putting up offers and big sales as a boost for travellers following the excellent news.  

So, if you’re looking forward to your next holiday, don’t wait, book now with a travel business registered with PTS for 100% financial protection through trust. Or, if you’d like assistance choosing one of the lovely PTS members to book with, you can contact PTS directly at 0207 190 9988.   

And if you’d like to learn more about your financial protection with PTS or how the Package Travel Regulations protect your holiday booking, check out our pages and Travel Advice.