US House of Representatives votes to end Covid-19 vaccine requirement for foreign air travellers

The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of removing the Covid-19 vaccination requirement for foreign air travellers to the US.

Republicans and seven Democrats voted 227 to 201 to end the rule.

President Joe Biden’s administration stopped the testing requirements for arrivals in June 2022, but the vaccination requirement still remains.

In fact, according to Reuters, the White House is opposed to this bill, saying that the requirement for a Covid-19 vaccine has reduced the burden on the healthcare system and allowed families to reunite. The bill will now be considered by the Senate.

The Covid-19 national and public health emergencies are due to end on 11 May 2023, after an announcement by the Biden administration earlier this month. This was met with opposition from House Republicans, who want to end the emergency immediately, hence this vote.