New Jersey became the latest state to impose COVID testing mandates for flights originating in the U.K., Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday, as holiday travel compounds concerns that a more virulent strain will make its way to the tri-state.

But just hours later, the CDC took what had been a regional requirement and made it national -- all air travelers from the United Kingdom to the United States will now have to have a negative COVID test less than 72 hours before boarding their flight, starting Monday.

"As we continue to experience a second wave of COVID-19 cases, it’s critical that we take any and all precautions to mitigate the potential for further transmission," Murphy said in a statement.