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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events