COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Will End in Late Spring 2023

March 06, 2023 by Alec Stone MA, MPA, Former ONS Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy

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.”


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