The CDC said it will reassess its decision and, if officials decide they need to reinstate it for any reason, they will do so. The measure has been in place since January 2021.

The announcement comes after many other countries around the world have lifted the requirement for inbound international travelers. This, along with the April lifting of the federal mask requirement on airplanes and in U.S. airports, restores the passenger experience to one that resembles pre-COVID travel. The end of these requirements could potentially boost leisure and business international travel even more this summer, adding to what is already expected to be a record season for passenger traffic at airports.

To see a list of nonstop international routes that serve TPA, go to www.tampaairport.com/international-nonstop-destinations

The extended mask order was one of a number of new actions the Biden administration put forward to combat COVID-19 as the United States heads into the winter months and with the emergence of a new variant, Omicron.

The White House also announced more stringent testing requirements for international travelers entering the U.S. from another country. As of Dec. 6, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before travel into the country.

The CDC outlines the new requirement, as well as details about the types of tests accepted as well as other information for air travelers. All passengers traveling into and out of the U.S. should review the requirements before their travel dates and also check with their airline for any further instructions. Many countries outside the U.S. are enacting similar protocols for foreign travelers.

While Tampa International Airport is not responsible for validating testing -- that is typically done by the airline before boarding -- it does adhere to the federal mask requirement and currently enforces the federal mask order in all indoor areas of TPA. Passengers and guests who forget masks when arriving at TPA can request them at the Information kiosk on Level 3 of the Main Terminal, or purchase them at various shops throughout the Airport.

The Transportation Security Administration issued a statement Thursday: 

"Following the President’s order and announcement regarding efforts to combat the Omicron variant, TSA, in conjunction with the CDC, will extend the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022."

The hours of operation for BayCare Health System’s COVID-19 testing center at Tampa International Airport will change next month as demand for the tests decreases among TPA travelers.

Beginning April 1, the testing center will operate six days a week: Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until noon; Sundays from 8 a.m. until noon.

Demand for the tests peaked in December 2020 with more than 4,800 tests administered for the month. February saw fewer than 2,000 tests.

The testing area, which is located on the Main Terminal’s third-floor transfer level, offers two types of tests to all TPA passengers at a cost of $150 for the PCR and $60 for the rapid antigen.

Testing is voluntary and is open to all arriving and departing passengers who can show proof of travel. Passengers departing from TPA to destinations requiring a negative PCR test, the most accurate and broadly accepted internationally, are advised to take the test three days before departure and can expect results within 48 hours. Passengers should check to ensure they receive their test results in accordance with the requirements or guidelines for their destination.

Under law, BayCare reports all positive results to the Florida Department of Health.

For more information about Tampa International Airport's COVID-19 Passenger Testing Program, visit https://baycare.org/TPA-Testing.

Tampa International Airport and BayCare Health System today announced the expansion of the airport's COVID-19 Passenger Testing Program into 2021 after the success of its first three months of operation.

The COVID-19 testing site is located in the airport's Main Terminal, near the entrance to Airside F. Since the program launched on October 1^st, the testing site has processed more than 12,000 FDA-approved COVID-19 tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction and rapid antigen).

"The numbers make it clear: Passengers appreciate the convenience and the confidence that our TPA COVID-19 testing site provides, making travel safer for themselves and those around them," TPA CEO Joe Lopano said. "We're thrilled to continue our partnership with BayCare in offering this voluntary testing service into 2021."

Both the airport and BayCare anticipate operating the site for several more months.

"We know that until there is a herd immunity, testing will continue to be key to combatting this virus and making us all safer," said Donna St. Louis, BayCare's vice president for business development, whose team oversees the service. "We welcome the chance to partner with Tampa International Airport to provide this service and access for our community."

Program highlights to date:

• An average of about 133 tests per day, peaking at more than 280 in a single day
• Usage of PCR and antigen tests is about even, with guests slightly preferring PCR tests.
• The majority of those tested continues to be departing passengers who tested days in advance of travel

The testing site will be closed on New Year's Day and on Saturdays beginning January 9^th. Hours of operation are:

• Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon on Sundays.

The pricing of $150 for the PCR test and $60 for the rapid antigen test remains the same.

Testing is voluntary and is open to all arriving and departing passengers who can show proof of travel. Passengers departing from TPA to destinations requiring a negative PCR test, the most accurate and broadly accepted internationally, are advised to take the test three days before departure and can expect results within 48 hours. Passengers should check to ensure they receive ther test results in accordance with the requirements or guidelines for their destination.

Under law, BayCare reports all positive results to the Florida Department of Health.

For more information about Tampa International Airport's COVID-19 Passenger Testing Program, visit https://baycare.org/TPA-Testing.

Tampa International Airport and BayCare Health System today announced the expansion of the airport’s COVID-19 passenger testing program through the end of the year after a successful October pilot.

The COVID-19 testing site is located in the airport’s Main Terminal, near the entrance to Airside F. When it launched on Oct. 1, TPA became the first airport in the country to offer two types of FDA-approved COVID-19 tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction and rapid antigen) for all departing and arriving passengers.

Program highlights to date:

• An average of 130 to 140 passenger tests per day during the pilot
• Completed more than 3,000 passenger tests in October
• PCR is the most popular test among travelers
• Majority of those tested were departing passengers who tested days in advance of travel

“Our travelers are extremely appreciative of this service and we are thrilled to expand it,” said Airport CEO Joe Lopano. “We’re doing everything we can to make travel safe and to help our passengers feel comfortable when they fly through Tampa International Airport.”

Due to the popularity of the testing pilot, BayCare is adding staff to reduce potential wait times.

Testing services will continue to be offered on a walk-in basis, seven days a week. Starting on Nov. 2, the testing site will have new hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday.

TPA's COVID-19 testing site will be closed on Nov. 1, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

New pricing of $150 for the PCR test and $60 for the rapid antigen test will help offset the cost of additional BayCare staff on-site.

Testing is voluntary and is open to all arriving and departing passengers, regardless of airline or destination who can show proof of travel. Passengers departing from Tampa to destinations requiring a negative PCR test, the most accurate and broadly accepted internationally, are advised to take the test three days before departure and can expect results within 48 hours.

"We're pleased to continue working with TPA to provide COVID-19 testing to passengers through the end of the year,” said Nishant Anand, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at BayCare Health System. “As we head into the holiday season, testing for COVID can help make traveling safer and mitigate the spread of the virus in airports and during flights.”

Since launching the pilot, Tampa International Airport has been contacted by numerous airports across the country who are interested in providing COVID-19 testing for passengers.

Tampa International Airport, in partnership with BayCare Health System, announced the launch of the country’s first airport testing pilot that will offer two types of FDA-approved COVID-19 tests for all departing and arriving passengers.

The testing site, located inside the Main Terminal near the Airside F shuttle, will offer both the rapid antigen test and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. PCR nasal swab test results are the most accurate and broadly accepted internationally. Interested travelers will be able to purchase either test regardless of which airline they’re booked on, their gate location or destination.

Testing services will be offered on a walk-in basis from Thursday, October 1^st to October 31^st, seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The pilot will be open to all ticketed passengers who are flying or have flown within three days and can show proof of travel. The PCR COVID-19 test costs $125 and the antigen test costs $57.

At many destinations around the world, government health agencies are requiring travelers to provide a negative PCR test result to avoid quarantine or other restrictions upon arrival. Passengers departing from Tampa to states, countries or territories requiring negative PCR tests are advised to take the test three days before departure and can expect results within 48 hours.

The antigen test, which produces results in 15 minutes and is most accurate within five days of the onset of symptoms, offers an added layer of same-day reassurance for travelers arriving at or departing TPA.

“As a gateway to the West Coast of Florida with a growing market for international travel, Tampa International Airport has a responsibility to explore safe, rapid and affordable ways to keep our travelers, their destinations and our community as safe and healthy as possible,” TPA CEO Joe Lopano said. “We’re thankful to our partners at BayCare in helping us create a pilot program that gives us a step in the right direction, as well as providing a valuable service to our passengers.”

As one of the leading health care systems in West Central Florida, BayCare was one of the first in the region to provide testing access to the community early in the pandemic. BayCare launched drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in March across the region in addition to testing in its hospital facilities. Since then, BayCare has tested more than 210,000 people for COVID-19.

“We’re proud to continue to work with local partners like TPA to expand access to COVID-19 testing,” said Nishant Anand, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at BayCare Health System. “We believe testing plays a crucial role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing travelers for the virus could help mitigate any potential spread in airports and planes.”

The TPA site is one of four testing locations BayCare is helping run across the Tampa Bay area. The health system will bring to TPA the same level of expertise, high quality care, testing accuracy and patient privacy as its other sites.

“Tampa International Airport has been a leader of airport health protocols since the earliest signs of the pandemic and was one of the first in the country to mandate masks, install plastic shields and apply social distancing markers through its TPA Ready launch in April,” said Gary Harrod, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority which oversees TPA. “These innovative efforts go a long way in building traveler confidence and keeping our region safe as we continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.”

For more information about the TPA COVID-19 pilot testing program, go to https://baycare.org/TPA-Testing.