Major US airlines back 'global' COVID-19 testing requirements: letter

A group representing major US airlines on Monday backed a proposal by public health officials to implement a global testing program requiring negative tests before most international air passengers return to the United States, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Airlines for America also urged the Trump administration in a letter to VP Mike Pence “to move ahead with recommendations to rescind current entry restrictions on travelers from Europe, the United Kingdom and Brazil as soon as possible ... concurrently with the testing program.” In November, the White House was considering rescinding restrictions that ban most non US citizens from traveling to the US from the 26 members of the Schengen area that allow travel across open borders in Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil. “We believe a well-planned program focused on increasing testing of travelers to the United States will further these objectives in a much more effective way than the blanket travel restrictions currently in place,” the airlines’ letter said.<br/>Airlines support a US CDC proposal to implement “a global program to require testing for travelers to the United States,” the letter added. A senior administration official said the CDC proposal to expand international testing requirements faces significant opposition at top levels of the administration, including in Pence’s office. The White House coronavirus task force is expected to meet Tuesday and the issue is scheduled to be discussed, officials said.<br/>