Democrat lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to require all airline passengers to show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID19 test before boarding a domestic flight. More than 30 democrat lawmakers signed the letter on November 11.
Democrat Lawmakers Sends a Letter to Biden
According to the letter, “This is a necessary and long overdue step”. It added that it ensures “all Americans feel safe and confident while traveling”. And, this will help “reduce the chances” of another surge by winter.
The letter comes as millions are looking to travel during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. According to the American Automobile Association, expect more than 53 million people to travel this year. Also, 4.2 million individuals will travel by air.
Despite the improvement in the COVID19 situation in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised domestic travelers to get vaccinated first.
International Travel Is Back
White House announced the return of international travelers. Those entering the US need to show proof of full vaccination.
Democrat lawmakers who signed the letter praised Biden for this move. The letter says that “We applaud your adoption of vaccine requirement for international air travelers coming to the United States”. The letter also said that “It is in the best interest of our nation’s public health to adopt these vaccination requirements for US air travel”.
Last year, holiday travel was up even if public health officials asked Americans to stay at home. Dr. Anthony Fauci, last year warned about a “post seasonal” surge in cases.
Efforts to Increase US Vaccination Rate
According to John Hopkins University’s data, around 60% of the US population already completed their COVID19 vaccine doses. In an effort to improve US vaccination rate, the Biden administration demanded large businesses and federal contractors to require COVID19 vaccination to their employees.
Major US airlines that have existing federal contracts announced their vaccine requirement for their employees. However, the implementation of the vaccine requirement was pushed to January giving employees more time to apply for medical or religious exemptions.
