MIAMI – Tuesday set a record for the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day in the United States.
According to experts, requiring a negative test for people flying to the U.S. internationally is just one piece of a wider protective strategy.
Starting Jan. 26, travelers flying to the U.S. from out of the country better have proof that they are Covid negative or they won’t be allowed in.
Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Aileen Marty explained the Centers for Disease Control’s latest move is a logical next step, although she wishes it had happened sooner.
“We’re trying to reduce the importation of new variants. We already have the UK variant here, it’s already contributing to the rise of cases we’re seeing,” said Dr. Marty. “One of the things people need to understand is every time we let a wild virus go wild and spread it’s an opportunity, as it goes from host to host, to become a variant which can be much worse.”
Dr. Marty also said that while the vaccines currently being dispersed do provide about 95% protection about two weeks after the second dose, all of the preventative steps need to be used together: things like proper mask usage, social distancing, and good hygiene.
“Each thing we do has holes, the more layers we have the better the overall protection for each of us and for our society,” said Dr. Marty.
The new rule is officially that travelers coming from abroad must have a negative coronavirus test within three days before their flight and provide documentation of it, or provide documentation showing you have recovered from COVID-19.