International flyers to U.S. will need negative COVID test. Should domestic passengers need one too? Updated Jan 26, 2021; Starting Tuesday, international travelers flying into the United States will need to present a negative coronavirus test or proof of recovery from the disease to get on a flight, under a U.S. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulation. That, coupled with President Joe Biden’s Jan . 21 executive order mandating masks or facial coverings be worn on all modes of public travel, has been supported by the aviation and travel industry. Most airlines and transit agencies required this early in the pandemic.