Registry Rule Advances

A federal judge in Florida has allowed the US government to enforce a requirement that all air travelers arriving in the United States from China, Hong Kong, and Macau present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flights. This requirement was challenged by a group of Florida residents who argued it was discriminatory and lacked a scientific basis. The judge, however, denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, finding they failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims. The ruling supports the government's argument that the testing mandate is a reasonable measure to prevent the introduction of new COVID-19 variants into the US, particularly given China's earlier surge of infections and limited data sharing. The lawsuit alleged that the mandate violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act. The plaintiffs argued that the government did not adequately explain its rationale for the rule and that it unfairly targeted travelers from specific regions. The judge's decision allows the testing requirement to remain in effect while the lawsuit proceeds. The mandate, implemented in January 2023, applies to all air passengers two years and older departing from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. The government maintains the rule is a necessary public health precaution. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-allows-requirement-everyone-us-205540371.html