U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo called the decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for COVID-19 before entering the United States a win.
She was confident in the CDC’s recommendation and how that agency is committed to Americans’ safety at home and traveling internationally, according to a June 11 Commerce Department release.
“Thanks to lifesaving vaccines and the tremendous progress the Biden administration has made in our fight against this virus, we can take this important step to reignite the American tourism industry by welcoming more visitors to the United States,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, according to the release.
The Department of Commerce’s recently announced National Travel and Tourism Strategy recognizes travel and tourism are crucial drivers of economies across every region of the United States, she said in the release. The department remains committed to maximizing opportunities for domestic and international travelers to enjoy what America has to offer.
She said the National Travel and Tourism Strategy focuses the efforts of the federal government to promote the United States as a premier destination so it can foster a sector that drives economic growth and creates good jobs, the release reported.
“This is a win for consumers and a win for the 9.5 million Americans working in the travel and tourism industry,” Raimondo said, according to the release. "I am confident in the Centers for Disease Control's recommendation and know that they remain committed to the safety of Americans here at home and traveling internationally."
