The US will end its requirement for international travellers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the end of next week.

The White House announced on Monday the new rule will come into effect on 12 May.

A White House statement issued on 1 May said: “Today, we are announcing that the administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal employees, federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.”

The Homeland Security Department reiterated the new rule, saying that, from 12 May it will no longer require non-US travellers entering the US via land ports of entry and ferries to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.

US specialist Ocean Florida has welcomed the news.

Co-CEO and Co-Founder Harry Hastings said: “As the UK’s largest independent operator to Florida, we’ve witnessed 20% of our cancellations since borders opened attributed to members of the travelling party being unvaccinated.

“The continued vaccination requirement has led to widespread confusion with 10% of our bookings being terminated at the final confirmation stage due to a lack of clarity of the entry restrictions.” 

He continued: “The USA is one of the last countries to drop the vaccination requirement. The lifting of these final restrictions is an extremely welcome move and marks a great day in what has been a turbulent few years for the travel industry.”