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ASTA wants CDC’s Covid testing order delayed
ASTA is pleading with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to delay the rollout of mandatory pre-flight testing for all inbound flights.
It is due to start on 26 January but ASTA wants it pushed back a month as it will likely create ‘a logistical crisis’ for returning Americans.
It will also have ‘a chilling effect on future bookings,’ ASTA CEO Zane Kerby wrote in a letter to the CDC.
"It will create a number of challenges for our members, ranging from ensuring that clients can obtain testing in-destination without disrupting their return trip to the implications of a positive test (or a false positive) while abroad," Kerby wrote.
ASTA wants the CDC to delay it until at least 28 February.
Many countries, including Caribbean nations, do not yet have the capabilities in place to meet the testing requirements of all returning Americans.
"We would note in particular that the stress this order places on returning travelers seeking to return home as planned opens the door to predatory pricing practices and similar abuses."
The CDC has stated waivers are possible from destinations that cannot perform wide scale testing.
ASTA has asked that this is ‘implemented as quickly and as widely as possible.’
The Society requested an alternative ‘test-on-arrival system’ for Americans returning home.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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