Late Monday, US President Joseph Biden signed legislation to end the COVID-19 national emergency.
Biden signed the law, which was introduced by House Republicans and passed by both chambers.
The measure terminates the national emergency declared by former President Donald Trump on March 13, 2020, as well as the public health emergency declared in January of that year.
The conclusion of the national emergency will also mean the elimination of a number of COVID-related exemptions under Medicare and Medicaid.
COVID-19 regulations have been relaxed across the country for some time.
Republicans presented the bill in response to President Biden’s remarks last year that “COVID is done.” They also resisted some public health policies, including obligatory immunizations and mask use.
The law was enacted earlier this year by the House of Representatives on a party-line vote of 220-210. It was approved by the Senate last month on a bipartisan vote of 68-23.
The White House Office of Management and Budget said on May 11 that the “national emergency” and “public health emergency” designations will be lifted to “curb the widespread confusion and uncertainty throughout the healthcare system.”