After more than three years, both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have ended their classification of COVID-19 as a public/global health emergency. In conjunction with those announcements, President Biden likewise ended the COVID vaccine mandates that had been in effect for federal workers and contractors.
With the health emergency officially over and the federal mandates lifted, private employers are following suit. But even as the restrictions are relaxed, the virus remains and continues to sicken people. Thus, while some may welcome this news, others may find it anxiety inducing. Employers who had instituted and enforced their own COVID policies should seriously consider reviewing those policies and how to proceed with any decision to lift such requirements.