The US extends the Covid vaccination mandate for foreign travelers

The US has extended its coronavirus vaccination mandate for foreign travelers arriving by air.

A guideline from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the vaccines was due to expire on Jan. 8. However, the policy will now be enforced at least until April 10, according to an emergency amendment issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The extension means all foreigners coming to the US must show proof of at least two doses of Covid-19 vaccine or an acceptable single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson.

This sets the US apart from most western nations, which have lifted vaccination requirements after appearing to fail to contain infection rates. The UK and most European countries have eliminated the ‘vaccination card’ requirement.

The Biden administration’s latest move comes a week after it began requiring passengers traveling from China — where Covid-19 was spreading rapidly — to present negative tests for entry into the United States.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, in October 2021 America issued a policy restricting entry by air “of non-citizens who are not immigrants (“non-citizens, non-immigrants”) and who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19.” The policy mandated Covid-19 testing and was lifted in June 2022.

However, testing requirements for Chinese air travelers will come into effect at midnight on Jan. 5.

The TSA claims its latest emergency change is designed to protect Americans from the virus and prevent hospitals from filling up with patients.

“Together with the Presidential Proclamation and CDC regulation, these guidelines are intended to limit the risk that Covid-19, including variants of the virus that causes Covid-19, is introduced, transmitted, and spread in and around the United States.” In The TSA document states: “Potentially overwhelming the health care system and public health resources of the United States, endangering the health and safety of the American people and threatening the security of our civil aviation system.”

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