COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Will End in Late Spring 2023
After more than two years (https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/2019-nCoV.aspx) of heightening response and awareness in every corner of U.S. society, the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency (PHE) and national emergency is sticking around a few months longer. Originally set to expire on March 1 and April 11, respectively, both will finally come to an end on May 11, 2023, the Biden-Harris administration announced (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SAP-H.R.-382-H.J.-Res.-7.pdf) in January.
The Biden-Harris administration said in a statement (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SAP-H.R.-382-H.J.-Res.-7.pdf) that the extensions allow for a wind down that aligns with its commitment to give at least 60 days’ notice (https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/Pages/Letter-to-Governors-on-the-COVID-19-Response.aspx) prior to terminating the PHE. Continuing the emergency declarations until May 2023 “does not impose any restriction at all on individual conduct with regard to COVID-19.” It does not mandate masks or vaccinations, restrict school or business operations, or require use of any medications or tests for COVID-19.
The U.S. Congress drafted a resolution (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SAP-H.R.-382-H.J.-Res.-7.pdf) and bill to end the emergency, but the Biden-Harris administration opposed both because they may have “highly significant impacts on our nation’s health system and government operations.”