The Biden administration is lifting the requirement for all travelers to present a negative PCR test before flying to the US, starting Sunday, June 12, at the stroke of midnight.

Assistant White House Press Secretary Kevin Munoz has confirmed the official decision to repeal the demand, enforced since January 2021.

The requirement to wear masks on flights was lifted by a federal judge as early as late April and was due to expire on May 3, yet the PCR requirement has remained in place despite intense pressure from airlines and the travel industry.

Many countries, including Israel, the EU, and Canada, have already abolished similar requirements. The U.S. was prominent among Western countries in requiring passengers to present a negative test result to enter, despite demands for cancellation by U.S. airlines, the U.S. Senate, the international travel industry, and passengers alike.

US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow commented in a statement: “Today marks another huge step forward for the recovery of inbound air travel and the return of international travel to the United States. The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the US travel industry.”