According to the White House, international travelers visiting the US will no longer need to pass vaccine requirements, starting May 12. The nation will scrap its Covid-19 requirement.
Earlier, travellers had to be fully immunised against the virus when travelling from abroad to the US. Things will change starting Monday, May 1, thanks to the declaration from the Biden administration.
The US government extended this vaccination requirement at the beginning of 2023, carrying forward the regulations set in October 2021.
A statement from the White House reads, “We are announcing that the administration will end the Covid-19 vaccine requirements for federal employees, federal contractors and international air travellers at the end of the day on 11 May, the same day that the Covid-19 public health emergency ends.”
The removal of the vaccination requirement, according to Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the US Travel Association will help move their country and industry forward. This will result from the simplification of entry barriers for international travellers.
However, Freeman added, “The return of international visitors should be as efficient and secure as possible. The federal government must ensure the US airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers to meet the growing demand for entry.”
This is seen as a welcome step by Virgin Atlantic, a UK airline. Besides, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services departments would likewise cease their vaccination mandates for foreign nationals entering US ports and land borders, according to the White House.