Air passengers will not need to show a negative coronavirus test result or show documentation of recovery from the contagion before boarding a flight to the United States, the national public health agency announced.

“On June 10, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the Department of Health and Human Services rescinded the order titled ’requirement for negative pre-departure Covid-19 test result or documentation of recovery from Covid-19 for all airline or other aircraft passengers arriving in the United States from any foreign country,” the State Department said in a statement.

The order was first issued in January 2021 during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic to stem the virus spread. The low rate of vaccination in some countries and the emergence of new variants had also contributed to the decision. “As of June 9, 2022, 70.9% of the US population five years of age and older has received a primary series [of vaccine],” it said.

The decision came into effect for flights departing to the US from a foreign country from June 12 (today). But, the requirement for proof of vaccination for noncitizens, who are non-immigrants, was still in effect.

“The observed reduction in the severity of Covid-19 cases and ongoing effective use of pharmaceutical interventions contribute greatly to minimize medically significant disease and largely prevent excessive strain on the healthcare sector at this stage in the pandemic,” it said and advised the people to remain up to date with vaccination and wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.