Biden says no COVID-19 vaccine mandate for domestic air travel amid omicron spread — for now
President Biden said he doesn’t plan to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for domestic air travel amid the spread of the omicron variant — at least not yet.
Answering a reporter’s question on Friday, Biden said he believes restrictions like extending mask mandates on public transportation can effectively keep a lid on omicron without requiring all domestic air travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID.
“The measures that I announced, we believe are sufficient to deal with the spread of this new variant,” Biden said.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked why the administration didn’t go further and require vaccination or a negative test for passengers on domestic flights. She replied that “nothing is off the table.”
“We base our decisions on the advice of the health and medical experts, what is going to be most effective and what we can implement,” Psaki said. “The president takes their advice and counsel very seriously, but I would say there are discussions about a range of options every day.”
The White House said that early next week, the United States will begin requiring all inbound international travelers to test for COVID-19 within one day of their flight to the U.S., regardless of their nationality or vaccination status. That will replace a similar three-day requirement in effect since Nov. 8, when the administration dropped country-specific travel bans.
“This tighter testing timetable provides an added degree of protection as scientists continue to study the omicron variant,” Biden said during a brief appearance to announce his latest measures against the virus.
The White House will also extend the federal rule requiring passengers on planes, trains and buses to wear face masks through March 18. It was scheduled to expire in mid-January.
The administration’s moves come just days after the White House announced a ban on travel to the U.S. by foreign nationals who have been to South Africa or seven other African countries within the previous 14 days. That travel ban does not apply to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
With News Wire Services