HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, effective April 16, 2022. The first U.S. public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 was issued in January 2020 as the global pandemic response began and has been renewed every 90 days in adherence to federal law.

According to HHS, renewing the public health emergency declaration ensures health care providers and state and territorial health departments have continued flexibilities to respond to the pandemic. HHS notes that it will provide states and territories with no less than 60 days’ notice prior to the termination of the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19.

Additional information from HHS is available here.