new york travel requirements 2022

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Updated 3/1/2024

WHILE IN NEW YORK

Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.

The CDC recommends staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. If you test positive for COVID-19, call the following numbers for information on treatments and other assistance: 1-888-364-3065 (All of New York State) 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) (New York City only)

MASKS & VACCINATION

Wearing a well-fitting face mask or respirator (i.e. KN95, KF94 or N95 or higher rated mask)  completely covering your nose and mouth  and staying current on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can help keep you and the communities you are visiting safe. 

Masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination continue to be required in all cities, localities, and private businesses that choose to require them despite the removal of statewide mandates. Businesses and venues may require COVID-19 safety measures for some or all events they host.

Please be respectful of the request to put on a mask properly covering both nose and mouth, or other COVID-19 safety mitigation requirements, at an attraction or in a place of business.

Visitors to NYC who are interested in finding mask-required venues and events can find relevant information on the NYC Mask Guide site  (note: clicking this link will take you to a separate website created by local residents, these listings are not curated by I LOVE NY).

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

As of May 12, 2023, international visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination to enter the United States.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

World Health Organization: Coronavirus

CDC: How to protect yourself & others

CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Local NYS County Health Departments

NYC Department of Health

US Travel Association - Emergency Preparedness and Response: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Vaccination in New York Stat e

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Coronavirus Information and Resources

Covid-19 remains a reality for us. Stay up to date with the help of the info below.

The Current Situation

• Mask-wearing is no longer mandated in New York City, though wearing a mask on the subway, bus and trains remains strongly recommended. Similarly, proof of vaccination is no longer required anywhere in the city.

• You still must wear a mask if visiting a doctor, dentist, hospital or any health care facility in New York.

• NYC Department of Health recommends similar masking in indoor spaces and crowded outdoor settings to slow the spread of Covid-19 (as well as other airborne illnesses), but this is not required.

• Individual businesses (such as shops and theaters) may continue to require masks and proof of vaccination at their own discretion—they have the right to ask you to leave if you refuse to comply.

• People who test positive for Covid-19 are advised to isolate at their homes or accommodation for at least 5 days and wear a mask in public spaces for at least 10 days after their symptoms began.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are available and recommended for all age groups, including—as of June 22, 2022—children between 6 months and 5 years old; see  here  for more details and below for where to get vaccines in the City. Boosters, including the  bivalent ones , are encouraged for all who are eligible (see more below). Note that in September 2022, City Hall lifted the vaccine mandate for all private employers in New York City—a policy that had gone into effect in December of the previous year—and left the policy to the discretion of the employers. 

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control recommend that everyone 5 and older get a booster shot five months after receiving a two-course dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and two months after receiving a single dose of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine. A second booster is also recommended for adults 50 and over; it should be at least four months after the first booster and should be an mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccine. For more information, visit  cdc.gov .

As mentioned above, mask wearing is recommended in indoor spaces and on public transit, though the mandates for each have been lifted. Businesses may still choose to implement the mandate, and the mask requirement remains in effect for health-care facilities.

Broadway Broadway shows are back in full. To help consumers, the Broadway League publishes updated  schedules online of all the shows playing on Broadway. This resource also provides access to each Broadway show’s website for more information. All listings include the most current information on performance times and reflect any last-minute cancellations.

Broadway theaters in New York City have stopped checking vaccinations for audience members as well as for performers, backstage crew and staff. Masks are also optional—though still encouraged—for audiences inside theaters. For more information, visit  broadway.org .

MTA The NYC subway continues to operate with 24-hour service. As mentioned above, mask-wearing in the system is now optional, though strongly encouraged. For more information, visit  mta.info .

International Travel

As of May 12, 2023, passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated to board a flight to the United States. For more information, visit  cdc.gov .

Inbound visitors are no longer required to show proof of a recent negative Covid-19 test result. For more information, visit cdc.gov .

For the latest on international travel requirements, visit cdc.gov .

How to Get Vaccinated

Covid-19 vaccines are available in NYC to all US residents who are 6 months and older (boosters are available and recommended), including domestic visitors to the five boroughs. There are many ways to get vaccinated:

New York City offers this comprehensive 

vaccine-finder tool , updated on a rolling basis, which includes links to local vaccination centers and pharmacies.

You may call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to schedule an appointment and for more information.

A number of sites across the five boroughs offer walk-up appointments. You can see these  here .

See other appointments nationwide with the CDC’s 

vaccine-finder tool .

For more information, visit  nyc.gov .

How to Get Tested

Covid-19 testing is widely available throughout New York City. A number of resources can assist in scheduling PCR or rapid-antigen tests:

New York City offers this  comprehensive testing website , which includes 

a searchable map of all testing locations throughout the five boroughs , along with basic information about the tests themselves.

New York State’s Covid-19 testing page also includes  a searchable map of testing locations  across the five boroughs.

NYC Health & Hospitals website  includes information about walk-in testing, as well as locations that will allow pre-registration.

Quest Diagnostics  and  Labcorp  both offer testing options.

A number of pharmacies offer convenient Covid-testing options, including  CVS and Walgreens .

Everything you need to know about visiting New York — city etiquette, when to go, and the latest COVID-19 advisories

• If you're planning a trip to New York, here's what you should know for a smooth and enjoyable stay.
• Brush up on your city etiquette, and pack wisely depending on what time of year you're visiting.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations.

If you're planning a visit to New York City, here's everything you need to know to stay safe while traveling, including city etiquette, the latest COVID-19 advisories, and tips on when to visit.

COVID-19 advisories

New York City was hit early and hard by COVID-19, but the city has since fully reopened with regularly updated safety protocols.

Face coverings are no longer required at indoor public places, although they're still mandatory on mass transit, including the subway, and at Broadway shows and other performing arts venues. Private businesses can decide whether or not to enforce their own mask requirement, and some still do, so it's best to keep one handy just in case.

Businesses are also no longer required to ask patrons for proof of vaccination, whether for indoor or outdoor activities. However, in response to an increase in cases, on May 16, the health commissioner's office issued a new advisory that people wear medical masks during public indoor gatherings.

It's important to remember that the situation is fluid, and we recommend following the guidelines of the CDC, WHO, and other reputable agencies.

Related stories

New York is a true four-season city, so the weather will vary dramatically depending on when you visit. Snow season generally starts in December, but is usually heaviest in January and February and can also continue in March. April and May see a fair amount of rainfall interspersed with overcast and sunny days.

The year's hottest months are typically July and August, and high humidity levels often carry through part of September before tapering off to cooler temperatures in October. 

If you want to come in the summer, June is a solid option for generally warm, sunny weather with a chance of rain. Late September and October are the most mild, which makes them a great time for a lot of walking and sightseeing. We also recommend late November and early December as one of the loveliest times of year to visit New York — although it will be colder, it won't be January cold, and that's when the city begins to buzz with holiday markets, window displays, ice skating rinks, and more festivities.

However, if you're looking for a snow-filled holiday, we'd recommend aiming for early- or mid-January, as the snow gets more slushy and wet (aka not fun to trudge through) in February. Just remember to bring a good coat and water-resistant boots, and you can pick up gloves or scarves if needed from the many street vendors that sell winter-weather accessories that time of year.

NYC etiquette

New Yorkers have a reputation for being blunt, some might even say rude, but that attitude usually comes down to the fact that everyone in the city is busy and has somewhere to be. Here are some quick tips to fit in smoothly with locals and enjoy your stay.

• Walk to the right on the sidewalk. If you're in a big group, be courteous and don't take up the whole sidewalk walking side by side.
• Don't stand still in the middle of the sidewalk or on busy street corners where foot traffic is coming from all directions. If you need to pause to check your phone for directions or after exiting a store, simply stand against the side of a building.
• Be aware of your surroundings and don't keep valuables like your phone or wallet in back pockets. 
• On the subway, let riders exit the train first before you get on.
• If you need directions, rather than asking someone walking by (who may not have time to stop or might not live in the area), we recommend running into a bodega or shop and asking someone working inside. 

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting New York City.

• Main content

From vaccines to testing: What travelers need to know before the new US travel system on Nov. 8

• The U.S. is launching a new travel system on Nov. 8.
• Vaccinated foreign air travelers will need to show proof of full vaccination and test for COVID-19.
• The new travel system also adds more stringent testing requirements for unvaccinated U.S. travelers.

The United States is about to make it much easier for vaccinated international travelers to visit.  

The White House announced that a new air travel system will take effect Nov. 8, allowing entry for fully vaccinated foreign tourists .  The system is set to launch nearly two years after the U.S. began imposing travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 . 

The move by the White House will essentially have the U.S. drop its travel ban on dozens of countries while also making entry more challenging for the unvaccinated. The new system will allow entry for foreign nationals only with vaccinations approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization and would add testing requirements for unvaccinated Americans.

Here’s what we know about the new travel requirements:

What are the entry requirements for foreign nationals?

Starting Nov. 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers   will need to show proof of full vaccination as well as a pre-departure negative coronavirus test taken within three days of travel before they can board a plane to the U.S. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include:

• Digital or paper verifiable record, such as a vaccination certificate or a digital pass with a QR code.  
• Nonverifiable paper record, such as a printout of a COVID-19 vaccination record or COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
• Nonverifiable digital record, such as a digital photo of a vaccination card or record, downloaded vaccine record, downloaded vaccination certificate or a mobile phone application without a QR code.  

The U.S. will accept nucleic acid amplification tests, including PCR tests, and antigen tests. The rules will go into effect for passengers on planes leaving for the U.S. at or after 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 8.  

Airlines will collect basic personal contact information   from all U.S.-bound travelers for contact tracing. Airlines are required to keep the information on hand so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   can reach out to travelers who may have been infected or exposed to COVID-19.

Masking will be required, but there will be no quarantine mandate for vaccinated travelers or unvaccinated children .

► US  travel bans: How COVID-19 travel restrictions have impacted families and couples

The change will make entering the U.S. possible for travelers from countries now listed on the U.S. travel ban, which prohibits entry for travelers who have been in any of the regions within the past 14 days. The travel ban  took effect in early 2020 and includes :

• United Kingdom
• Republic of Ireland
• South Africa
• The European Schengen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City)

Currently, the U.S. asks international air passengers only to get tested within three days of their flight to the U.S. and show either the negative test result or proof of recovery  from COVID-19 before boarding. 

What about the land borders with Mexico and Canada?

New travel rules will also take effect for foreign nationals arriving by land or passenger ferry.

Starting Nov. 8, fully vaccinated foreign nationals can cross the land borders for nonessential reasons such as tourism or visiting friends and family . These travelers will need to verbally attest to their reason for travel and vaccination status and be prepared to show proof of vaccination  upon request. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept both digital and paper records showing proof of vaccination, including documents not in English.   Foreign nationals will also need appropriate travel documentation to enter the country.  

CBP will spot-check travelers' vaccination documents, and those without documented proof of vaccination can be denied entry. Travelers under 18 will be exempt from the vaccination requirement as long as they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, according to Matthew Davies, CBP's executive director of admissibility and passenger programs.  

The new travel rules will go into effect as soon as a port of entry opens on Nov. 8, or at midnight for ports that operate 24 hours a day changes will go into effect at midnight on Nov. 8 for ports that operation 24 hours a day.  

U.S. citizens reentering the country should also bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative document, such as a valid passport, trusted traveler program card, enhanced driver's license or enhanced tribal card. 

Entry rules along the border will change again in early January, with all travelers – including those traveling for essential purposes – required to show proof of full vaccination. 

► US land borders: Travelers in Mexico and Canada plan their next US visit after new land border policy announced

Which vaccines does the US accept for travel?

The CDC has announced that vaccines approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization will be accepted for air travel. White House officials expect the CDC to approve the same vaccines for travelers entering the U.S. by land or ferry.  

The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use during the pandemic: Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer-BioNTech, the last of which has received the FDA's full stamp of approval.

Vaccines with WHO approval for emergency use include:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield 

The CDC confirmed that it would accept a mix-and-match approach to vaccinations. Travelers who have any combination of FDA- or WHO-approved vaccines will be considered fully vaccinated.

The new travel policy does not accept foreign travelers who have had COVID and received just one shot in a two-dose series. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the administration will "continue to review" its entry requirements.  

► Covaxin gets WHO emergency approval: Travelers vaccinated with Covaxin can enter US   

► 'You feel lonely and left out': These fully vaccinated travelers want to visit the US. They may not be allowed in.

How do the new rules affect kids? 

Foreign nationals under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement. Children under two will not need to take a pre-departure COVID test.

Kids 2 and older traveling with a fully vaccinated adult can test three days prior to departure, while children traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults will need to get tested within one day of departure. 

Currently, all air passengers 2 or older, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, need to show a negative coronavirus test to fly to the U.S.

What are the entry requirements for Americans?

The new travel system adds more stringent testing requirements for unvaccinated U.S. travelers.

Starting Nov. 8, unvaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents will need to take a test one day before departure and test again upon arrival in the U.S. 

► New travel rules: What US travelers need to know about the new COVID rules for international flights

Entry requirements will not change for vaccinated Americans. They will still need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than three days before departure. 

Americans will not need to be fully vaccinated to board international flights to the U.S.

Are there any exemptions?

There is a limited set of travelers who are exempt from the vaccine requirement for entry.

Children under 18, certain COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants and travelers with adverse reactions to the vaccines – such as people who have had severe anaphylactic allergic reactions to a prior COVID-19 vaccine –  will be exempt.

People traveling on non-tourist visas from countries with less than 10% of its population vaccinated who need to enter the U.S. for emergency or humanitarian reasons are also exempt from the vaccine requirement. There are about 50 countries considered to have low vaccine availability at this time.

These exempt travelers will generally need to show that they will comply with public health mandates, including a requirement to be vaccinated in the U.S. if they plan to stay more than 60 days.  

Unless they have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days, unvaccinated travelers  must agree to be tested with a COVID-19 viral test three to five days after their arrival and quarantine for seven days, even if their post-arrival test comes back negative. 

Unvaccinated travelers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must also agree to self-isolate if their post-arrival test is positive or if they develop COVID-19 symptoms. 

Unvaccinated children under 18 will not need to quarantine but will still need to take a post-arrival test. 

► Who is exempt?: These select groups of unvaccinated foreign travelers can enter the US

The CDC will not give exemptions  to people who object to the vaccinations due to religious or moral convictions. 

There will also be testing accommodations for travelers who can prove they recently recovered from the coronavirus. These travelers will need to show a positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before their flight's departure and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official saying they are cleared for travel.  

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

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COVID-19 international travel advisories

Visitors to the U.S. do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19. U.S. citizens going abroad, check Department of State travel advisories for the country you will visit.

COVID-19 testing and vaccine rules for entering the U.S.

You do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or take a COVID-19 test to enter the U.S. This applies to U.S. citizens and non-citizens.

U.S. citizens traveling to a country outside the U.S.

Find country-specific travel advisories, including COVID-19 restrictions, from the Department of State.

See the CDC's COVID-19 guidance for safer international travel to learn:

• If you can travel if you recently had COVID-19
• What you can do to help prevent COVID-19 

LAST UPDATED: May 31, 2024

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Traveling to the USA? What you need to know as new travel rules are announced

Oct 26, 2021 • 6 min read

Soon vaccinated travelers will be able to return to the US © ablokhin / Getty Images © Getty Images/iStockphoto

After an 18-month ban on most inbound travel, US president Joe Biden signed a presidential proclamation on Monday, detailing the country's new travel rules and adding more clarity on vaccine requirements and border checks.

The new rules come into play in two weeks' time and will permit anyone who is fully inoculated with a vaccine approved by the World Health Orgainzation (WHO) to enter the US by land or air. Travelers will also be permitted to enter if they have received "mix and match" jabs, combining two different COVID-19 vaccines. US citizens or permanent residents are not required to be fully vaccinated to enter but they will be subject to testing requirements that are slightly more rigid than the testing requirements in place for fully vaccinated arrivals.

"With science and public health as our guide, the United States has developed a new international air travel system that both enhances the safety of Americans here at home and enhances the safety of international air travel," White House officials said in Monday's release . "The additional detail released today provides airlines and international air travelers with time to prepare for this new policy ahead of the November 8 implementation date."

Under the new rules, it will be the airlines' responsibility to check passengers' proof of vaccination and COVID-19 testing status before they depart for the US. This will allow for a more streamlined process that should eliminate big queues forming at border checks.

If you're planning a trip to the US or returning home, here's what you need to know about the new travel rules.

When will travel restrictions be lifted?

The White House will introduce its new travel policy on November 8. "Starting on November 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the US, with only limited exceptions," the White House said on Monday.

Who can then travel to the US?

At present, travelers who, in the last 14 days, have been in the UK, European Schengen Zone, Republic of Ireland, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa and India, are barred from the US with few exceptions. But that will change from November 8 when the US will permit all fully vaccinated international travelers to enter by air, provided they show proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of traveling to the US. The US will also open its land borders with Canada and Mexico to vaccinated visitors , however a negative COVID-19 test will not be required, according to the CBC .

Travelers who could previously travel to the US without proof of vaccination during the pandemic will also be required to be vaccinated before traveling there from November 8. They will also need to present a negative COVID-19 test to enter, as before, regardless of vaccination status. The new policy applies to everyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the US.

Travelers will have to wear a mask throughout their journey and provide their telephone number and email address as part of a new contract-tracing system for inbound travelers.

Read more: Hawaii is ready to welcome travelers once again in November

What about returning vaccinated Americans?

Fully vaccinated Americans will only need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before traveling to the US by air, as per CDC guidelines.

What about returning unvaccinated Americans?

US citizens and permanent residents who are not fully vaccinated will still be able to enter the US by air, but they will need to be tested within 24 hours of flight departure time, and undergo testing upon arrival.

What about children?

Children under 18 are exempt from vaccine requirements "given both the ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated", the White House said. However, children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test. If traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can take a test within 72 hours of departure. If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to test within one day of departure.

What vaccines does the US accept for travel?

The CDC said it will accept any vaccine authorized by the WHO for emergency use, which currently includes the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm and Sinovac jabs.

How will I present proof of vaccination before traveling?

The Biden administration said that foreign nationals will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding their flight to the US. That proof can be an official vaccination certificate issued by a public health or government agency that will be presented to the airline before boarding. Airlines will need to "match the name and date of birth to confirm the passenger is the same person reflected on the proof of vaccination" and determine the certificate is official.

Will I need a health pass?

Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test are increasingly required for aspects of daily life in the US, such as eating indoors, going to a museum or tourist site, or attending concerts and large events. But the patchwork of rules surrounding these passes can be a little confusing, particularly as there is no standardized system in the US. So what you need and where you're expected to use it depends on where you're going.

In New York City , for example, proof of vaccination is required to dine or drink indoors at restaurants, bars and cafes; and to visit gyms, fitness classes, theaters and other entertainment venues. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result are needed to gain entry to similar venues in New Orleans , and in O'ahu and Maui in Hawaii .

In California , proof of vaccination is required across many indoor venues in San Francisco and in Los Angeles County. It's also needed to visit theme parks such as Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags .

There are other cities and counties across the US where proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required as a condition of entry, so always check ahead before planning any travel. As a tourist, you'll need to have proof of vaccination to enter the US regardless, so it's a good idea to keep that proof with you at all times to reduce the risk of being denied entry to certain places.

You might also like: We've visited 48 US states in a camper van – these are the 10 best When is the best time to visit US and Canada's national parks? What ski resort in North America is best for you? We've got the answer

This article was first published Sep 20, 2021 and updated Oct 26, 2021.

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US Lifts COVID-19 Test Requirement for International Travel

The move will ease one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus, by zeke miller and david koenig • published june 10, 2022 • updated on june 10, 2022 at 8:54 pm.

The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international travelers test negative for COVID-19 within a day before boarding a flight to the United States, ending one of the last remaining government mandates designed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that the requirement will end early Sunday morning. The health agency said it will continue to monitor state of the pandemic and will reassess the need for a testing requirement if the situation changes.

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“This step is possible because of the progress we’ve made in our fight against COVID-19,” said U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Airline and tourism groups have been pressing the administration for months to eliminate the testing requirement, saying it discourages people from booking international trips because they could be stranded overseas if they contract the virus on their trip.

Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, called lifting the testing rule “another huge step forward for the recovery of inbound air travel and the return of international travel to the United States.”

Airlines argued that the rule was put into effect when few Americans were vaccinated — now 71% of those 5 and older are fully vaccinated, according to CDC figures. They also complained that people entering the U.S. at land borders are not required to test negative for COVID-19, although they must show proof of vaccination.

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While domestic U.S. travel has returned nearly to pre-pandemic levels, international travel — which is very lucrative for the airlines — has continued to lag. In May, U.S. international air travel remained 24% below 2019 levels, with declines among both U.S. and foreign citizens, according to trade group Airlines for America.

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Many other countries have lifted their testing requirements for fully vaccinated and boosted travelers in a bid to increase tourism.

Some infectious-disease experts said they were comfortable with the CDC’s decision, and that lifting the restriction is unlikely to cause further spread of the virus in the U.S.

Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University said the rule was designed to prevent importing the virus, “but we’ve got plenty of COVID here. It’s like telling someone not to pour a bucket of water in their swimming pool.”

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong at the University of California, San Francisco, said travel restrictions demonstrate that officials are trying to keep variants out, "but they haven't really shown to be beneficial, ever." However, he said, requiring foreign visitors to be vaccinated makes sense to avoid straining the U.S. health-care system with people who could develop severe disease.

The requirement for a negative COVID-19 test before flying to the U.S. dates to January 2021 and is the most visible remaining U.S. travel restriction of the pandemic era.

In April, a federal judge in Florida struck down a requirement that passengers wear masks on planes and public transportation, saying that the CDC had exceeded its authority. The Biden administration is appealing that ruling, saying it aims to protect the CDC's ability to respond to future health emergencies.

The Biden administration put the testing requirement in place as it moved away from rules that banned nonessential travel from dozens of countries — most of Europe, China, Brazil, South Africa, India and Iran — and focused instead on classifying individuals by the risk they pose to others. It was coupled with a requirement that foreign, non-immigrant adults traveling to the United States need to be fully vaccinated, with only limited exceptions.

The initial mandate allowed those who were fully vaccinated to show proof of a negative test within three days of travel, while unvaccinated people had to present a test taken within one day of travel.

In November, as the highly transmissible omicron variant swept the world, the Biden administration toughened the requirement and required all travelers — regardless of vaccination status — to test negative within a day of travel to the U.S.

In February, travel groups argued that the testing requirement was obsolete because of the high number of omicron cases already in every state, higher vaccinations rates and new treatments for the virus.

Meanwhile, travelers found creative ways around the rule. This spring, several Canadian teams in the National Hockey League flew to cities near the border, then took buses into the U.S. to avoid the risk of losing players who tested positive.

U.S. airlines estimate that dropping the test requirement will mean 4.3 million more passengers in one year.

It is unclear, however, whether airlines can boost flights quickly enough to handle that kind of increase. Airlines facing a shortage of pilots have already scaled back their original schedules for the peak summer vacation season.

Brett Snyder, a travel adviser who writes about the industry at CrankyFlier.com, said the requirement has caused some people to postpone international travel.

“It’s not that they are afraid of getting sick, they don’t want to get stuck,” Snyder said. He thinks there will now be a surge in booking those trips, “which, if anything, will lead to higher fares.”

Hotels, theme parks and other travel businesses also lobbied the administration to drop the rule.

“The whole industry has been waiting for this announcement,” said Martin Ferguson, a spokesman for American Express Global Business Travel, which advises companies on travel policy. He said there are few remaining pandemic policies that cause so much consternation for the travel sector, with China's “zero-COVID” restrictions being another.

Despite ending the testing requirement, the CDC said it still recommends COVID-19 testing prior to air travel of any kind as a safety precaution.

Koenig reported from Dallas. AP Medical Reporter Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this report.

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Here’s how to find the C.D.C.’s new pandemic guidelines for your area.

The guidance is not binding, so local requirements may still apply. The federal mask requirement on mass transit and air travel is set to expire on March 18.

By Sophie Downes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a straightforward online tool that can help people see whether their area is at high, medium or low community risk for the coronavirus, the deciding factor in the new guidelines the agency released on Friday.

With the huge wave of Omicron-driven cases, hospitalizations and deaths receding across the United States, the new C.D.C. guidance is aimed at helping more communities get back to a semblance of normality, by gauging the need for pandemic restrictions like mask wearing and social distancing by county.

The guidance is not binding, so local mask requirements may still apply, and the federal mask requirement on mass transit and air travel remains in place until at least March 18 . However, some states had few restrictions to begin with, and many state and local governments had already eased many restrictions, including on masks. The C.D.C.’s move is likely to prompt more such moves.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the C.D.C.’s director, warned Americans not to let down their guard entirely. “We want to give people a break from things like masking when our levels are low, and then have the ability to reach for them again should things get worse in the future,” she said as she announced the new guidance on Friday. “We need to be prepared, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next.”

Under the agency’s previous criteria, close to 95 percent of U.S. counties were considered high risk. Using the new criteria — new Covid-related hospital admissions, the percentage of hospital beds occupied by Covid patients and new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people — less than 30 percent of the population is in high-risk areas.

The C.D.C.’s new tool allows users to identify their state and then choose their county. That yields a color-coded gauge — green for low risk, yellow for medium and orange for high — along with the relevant guidance. All results offer reminders of the importance of vaccinations and boosters, measures that have kept the Omicron wave from inflicting a far more devastating toll in serious illness, hospitalization and death.

In California’s Los Angeles County, the risk is currently high, and the guidance is to wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Wayne County, Mich., which includes Detroit, is at medium risk, and residents who have special vulnerabilities are urged to ask their doctors if they need masks. New York County, which encompasses Manhattan, is at low risk, and the guidance is that masks are optional. It notes, however, that “people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with Covid-19” should wear masks.

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