US National Emergency on COVID-19 extended by Biden

As part of the COVID-19 national emergency that was declared early in 2020, President Biden said that the emergency will be extended beyond March 1.

Despite the need for continuation of the national emergency, Biden wrote to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a letter posted on the White House website.

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the safety and health of the nation in significant way. The disease has claimed over 900,000 lives in this country, and it is essential that the Federal Government utilize its full resources in the fight against COVID-19," the Ambassador wrote, adding that his office has "decided it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared" almost two years ago.

If the president did not send a notice to Congress stating that the emergency would continue beyond 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the emergency would end automatically.

In response, Biden wrote in another statement that the national emergency declared on March 13, 2020 and effective on March 1, 2020, must extend beyond March 1, 2022. The notice has been published in the Federal Register.

20 Feb 2022