U.S. will require airline passengers traveling from China to test negative for Covid

The Biden administration will require airline passengers traveling from China to test negative for Covid before entering the U.S., federal health officials said on Wednesday.

All travelers two years of age and older originating from China, Hong Kong or Macau will be required to get tested for Covid two days before their departure to the U.S., the officials said. The requirements, which apply regardless of nationality and vaccination status, start Jan. 5.

The testing requirements come as China battles a major outbreak of the virus after easing its stringent zero-Covid policy in the wake of social unrest earlier this year.

The U.S. has limited information on the situation in China, the officials said. Testing has decreased across the country and it’s unclear what variants are circulating in China because genomic surveillance data is also limited, according to the officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also expanding its program that monitors travelers for new Covid variants to include airports in Los Angeles and Seattle. The surveillance program will now include seven airports and cover about 500 weekly flights, including 290 flights from China and the surrounding area.