The CDC said on Wednesday that the "public health measure was put in place to protect US citizens and communities as they worked to both identify the size of the (China COVID) surge and gain better insights into the variants that were circulating."

The decision takes effect for passengers arriving in the US on flights departure from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao.

This provision is also in effect with passengers arriving in the US from a number of airports in other countries including South Korea and Canada.

From this Friday, before boarding a flight to the US, passengers from China will no longer be required to be tested COVID-19 or show a confirmation of COVID-19 infection and recovery.