Travellers to US will need to be tested no more than 24 hours before departure, rather than the 72-hour pre-departure test rule that is currently in place.

The new rule comes into effect next week, although an exact date has not yet been set.

The White House said: “Early next week, the United States will tighten pre-departure testing protocols by requiring all inbound international travelers to test within one day of departure globally, regardless of nationality or vaccination status.

“This tighter testing timeline provides an added degree of public health protection as scientists continue to assess the Omicron variant.”