How new travel rules could impact local tourism – WFTV

ORLANDO, Florida – New COVID-19 testing requirements for international travelers entering the United States go into effect Monday.

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From 00:01 a.m., all international passengers traveling to the United States, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test performed no more than one day prior to departure.

READ: Crowds continue to gather in Florida as health officials look out for the Omicron variant of COVID-19

“My plan that I am announcing … will not bring any blows in the fight against COVID-19,” said President Joe Biden on Thursday when he announced the new rules.

The guidelines had previously allowed incoming travelers to test for up to three days prior to entry.

The policy change underscores the potential threat posed by the newly discovered Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Scientists are still working to figure out how transmissible it is, how sick it makes people, and how well current vaccines are working against it.

READ: Scientists say sequencing is critical to staying one step ahead of the Omicron variant

International travel resumed at Orlando International Airport less than a month ago.

While the new restrictions could result in fewer tourists visiting the area, Orange County’s auditor Phil Diamond says the sacrifice may be necessary in the long run.

“If COVID goes up, tourist taxes go down, and if COVID goes down, tourist taxes go up.”

President Biden said COVID-19 cases will continue to increase over the coming weeks and over winter.

READ: No significant changes in testing and vaccinations since the appearance of omicrons

Every foreign citizen traveling to the United States must be fully vaccinated, but there is no compulsory vaccination for American citizens traveling worldwide or domestically by air.

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