The White House announced on Monday (May 1) that on May 11, it will end the requirement to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccine for travelers and US government employees.
“Today we announced that the government will end the Covid-19 vaccine requirement for federal employees, contractors, and air travelers by the end of May 11, the same day the Covid-19 public health emergency ends,” the government said in a statement.
More than a million people have died from Covid-19 in the United States.
The White House said the pandemic had been virtually contained, prompting the government to suspend restrictions that were in place as the disease spread through entire communities and forced economic paralysis.
“Since January 2021, Covid-19 deaths have dropped by 95%, and hospitalizations have dropped by nearly 91%.”
“Globally, Covid-related deaths are at their lowest levels since the pandemic began,” the statement added.
The White House states, “The vaccine requirements have strengthened vaccination nationwide, and our extensive vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives.”
While requiring vaccination for foreigners aboard flights bound for the United States was common practice in many countries, mandatory vaccination for government employees sometimes provoked strong political reactions at home.
In addition to ending vaccination rules, President Joe Biden announced in April that he officially declared an end to the national health emergency that has underpinned a series of extraordinary government actions for over three years.
With information from UOL