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US may require negative COVID-19 test before boarding domestic flights

CHARLOTTE — The Biden administration is “actively looking” at requiring COVID-19 tests before domestic flights, a senior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said.

Travelers flying into the U.S. from abroad already must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The tests must be taken no more than three days before the flight or they cannot board.

>> Read more about traveling into the U.S. here.

“I do have to have quite a few tests for my work,” passenger Ava Aucoin told Channel 9 at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “I had one day before yesterday.”

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Aucoin is a film producer and knows what a hassle it is to get a COVID-19 test before catching a flight.

“Oh, it’s a huge headache,” Aucoin said. “Yeah, I’ve flown out of the country a few times. I had to prove I had a COVID test to enter those countries.”

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Dr. Rachel Graham said she is not surprised to learn about the potential plan and thinks it is a good idea in concept.

“Oh, you certainly have a right to refuse a test, but the airline has a right to refuse to allow you on their plane,” said Graham, an epidemiologist at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill.

The proposal states that a passenger would have to show they have had a COVID-19 test three days before they travel. It is unclear if there would be exceptions for emergencies like a sick relative or death in the family.

Graham said she would understand if there were no exceptions.

“My personal opinion on that would be, you as the person, traveling, trying to get where you are going, need to also consider the public health of the people who are going to encounter you,” Graham said. “I know that might not be the touchy-feely answer. I have been in a situation, and I chose to stay where I know I could keep other people safe.”

Shawna Williams questions whether there would be enough testing to give people the flexibility to fly when they want to.

“So, whatever it is, whatever stipulations we have to put in place to resume normal life, I’m kind of with it,” Williams said.