Do I need a COVID test to enter the US if my flight departs this Sunday June 12th?

Question

We are flying from Nice, France to New York on Sunday June 12th, leaving at 12 noon (France time) and landing at 3pm (New York time), a direct flight with Delta airlines. All members of our group are fully vaccinated and generally very careful with masks, hand washing, etc (some US citizens, some UK citizens).

The US just announced that a COVID test will no longer be required starting Sunday June 12th at 12:01am EST. If I have my time zones right, that's 6:01 am in France, so it seems to me that we can dispense with the tests, seeing that we fly at 12 noon (i.e. 12pm).

Is that correct? Are there any rules that would make the lifting of the ban not apply to our flight for some reason? Is it likely that Delta will insist on it anyway?

On the one hand getting tested is the safest thing to do and antigen is somewhat easy. On the other hand if it's not required I'd rather spend the money on lunch and skip the hassle of going by the pharmacy on what is already a very busy day.

UPDATE

As of 12h GMT today (June 11th), the French Delta page about entry requirements still says tests are required: https://fr.delta.com/fr/fr/travel-planning-center/know-before-you-go/us-entry-requirements. We'll just get tested and that's it

Answer 1

If I have my time zones right, that's 6:01 am in France, so it seems to me that we can dispense with the tests, seeing that we fly at 12 noon (i.e. 12pm). Is that correct?

Most likely, yes. Official CDC statement (mirror):

starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show the COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the U.S.

Note that:

1. The announcement is unclear about the exact time, since they are talking about boarding time instead of the scheduled departing time. E.g. if the boarding time is between 23:30 ET on June 12, 2022 and 23:59 ET on June 11, 2022 and the the scheduled departing time is 12:05AM ET on June 12, 2022, I don't know what happens but I'd take a COVID test in case. Also typically, passengers are asked to show the COVID test at check-in time, not boarding time. So to be safe, I'd take a COVID test if the check-in closes before 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022.
2. I'm also unclear what happens in case of a layover, but to be safe I'd consider the check-in close time at the first embarkation point.
3. Airlines may have their own COVID testing policies (e.g., using out-of-date CDC guidelines).

Obviously, CDC released the statement on Friday evening, so good luck reaching them in time if you have any questions due to the vagueness of the announcement.