As CDC Issues New Guidance, Travel Groups Call for End to COVID Travel Restrictions

Major travel-related agencies are calling on the Biden Administration to end restrictions and regulations that impede the US tourism industry.

The move comes just a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance that relaxes many of the policies enacted in the wake of the virus. 70 percent of the country is now free of restrictions.

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Not on airplanes.

The federal mask mandate doesn't come up for debate again until March 18 but the U.S. Travel Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Airlines for America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are asking to repeal mask-wearing and other restrictions.

The group sent a letter to the White House that urged the Biden administration to replace travel advisories with policies that allow travel to resume fully and safely and the American economy to accelerate its recovery.

The groups cited key figures to back their request, noting that international travel spending was down 78 percent compared to the year before, and business travel spending was 50 percent below the year before.

Given travel's slow economic recovery, and in light of the improved public health metrics in the U.S., the Biden administration should now take steps to normalized travel conditions.

The groups asked the following questions.

The pre-departure testing requirement for inbound international arrivals should be removed.

The federal mask mandate for public transportation networks needs to be repealed by March 18.

Avoid travel and use travel bans.

Travel conditions and entry requirements should be normalized with other countries.

Benchmarks and timelines for a pathway to the new normal will be developed by June 1.

It is safe to travel in the US and the world for people with vaccine.

According to the letter, this industry group remains ready to assist the Biden administration in restoring the U.S. travel economy.

The World Tourism Organization and the World Health Organization are calling for the easing of travel restrictions in order to aid in the recovery of the travel sector.