The U.S. government has extended its existing Covid-19 entry requirements for another three months to mid-April. 

The current requirement, which requires international visitors to the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against the virus, had been due to end on Jan. 8 but now has been extended to April 10 by the Transportation Security Administration. 

The rules first were put in place in October 2021 as the U.S. prepared to reopen its borders to international travelers in November 2021 after being closed for 20 months due to the pandemic. 

The requirements apply to any non-U.S. citizen, who still will need to provide proof of receiving at least two Covid vaccine doses or an acceptable single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Foreign airlines also are required not to allow any non-U.S. travelers who do not fulfil these vaccination rules to board their flights to the US. 

The U.S.’s move to extend its Covid entry rules came as China finally reopened its border to international travelers on Jan. 8 after nearly three years. The country has also ended its quarantine regime as part of the relaxation of its zero-Covid policy. 

Several European countries and the United States have already implemented new testing rules for arrivals from China, while the EU has also agreed that passengers from China should provide a negative test—a move that has been met with criticism from airline and airports organizations.

Originally published in BTN Europe.