CDC Relaxes COVID-19 Screening Guidelines at Airports

The federal government is adopting a new approach to keeping international passengers healthy.

Beginning Sept. 14, the government will no longer require passengers from specified countries to land at one of 15 designated airports, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, the CDC said enhanced entry screening such as temperature checks will also be halted, since new research indicates that many COVID-19 patients have no symptoms or haven't developed them.

According to USA Today, the government is shifting its options to include educational information for individual passengers such as pre-flight and in-flight safety precautions, as well as post-arrival suggestions such as self-monitoring and, if needed, 14-day quarantines.

Prior to travel bans being enforced in the spring, passengers from several nations including parts of China, Iran, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil had to undergo enhanced screenings upon entering the U.S. and had to fly into one of 15 designated airports.

The CDC said: "By refocusing our mitigation efforts on individual passenger risk throughout the travel journey, the U.S. government can most effectively protect the health of the American public."