Biden Administration Extends COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Foreign Arrivals

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for foreign arrivals has been extended by President Joe Biden’s administration.

The mandate was originally set to expire on April 11 but has since been extended until May 11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced (pdf). This is the second extension, with the previous one being for three months.

The Biden administration has declared its intention of ending the COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11. As of yet, it is unclear if the president intends to rescind his proclamation that prompted the traveler requirement, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on April 4. The TSA has also declined to say whether the White House directed it to only extend the mandate for a month or whether another extension is planned.

According to a spokesperson’s statement provided via email, “TSA will extend its security directive in support of CDC’s Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be required for non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants prior to traveling to the United States.”

The order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2021, imposed the vaccination requirement, leading to the TSA directive. Under the directive, foreign travelers who are not immigrants or citizens are required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Department of Homeland Security officers are also mandated to ensure that noncitizens who have not provided proof of vaccination do not board planes traveling to the United States. The proof of vaccination can be in the form of a paper document or a digital document, and must include the person’s name and date of birth matching with the details in their passport or other travel documents. The proof also needs to show that the individual has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Vaccines Not Effective

Studies and U.S. data show that two doses of the available COVID-19 vaccines only provide little protection against infection or severe illness since the Omicron variant emerged in late 2021. Boosters increase the level of protection, but only temporarily, as indicated by data. No