Revoking the Air Travel COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

This proclamation revokes the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international air travelers to the United States, effective May 12, 2023. It directs four Cabinet secretaries to review and potentially revise or revoke related agency regulations and guidance.

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 30889

Impact dates

May 12, 2023
Proclamation effective; vaccination requirement ends

Key directives

Revoke Proclamation 10294 (except sections 1, 6, 7, and 8)
Secretary of State, HHS (via CDC Director), Transportation, and Homeland Security shall review and consider revising or revoking agency actions developed pursuant to Proclamation 10294

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 12, 2023
Vaccination requirement for international air travel ends

Near term (90d)

Agency review of regulations, orders, guidance, and policies issued under Proclamation 10294
Potential revision or revocation of agency actions

Long term

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Risks & tensions

No explicit deadline for agency review; 'as appropriate' qualifier creates uncertainty about timing and scope of follow-through
Partial revocation preserves sections 1, 6, 7, and 8 of Proclamation 10294 without explanation of what remains in force
Potential tension between public health preparedness and political pressure to end pandemic-era restrictions