The border crossing between St. Stephen, N.B., and Calais, Maine. Image: Staff photo

The need to prove you are vaccinated against COVID to enter the U.S. will soon end.

The White House says international air travellers will no longer need to adhere to the rule beginning on May 11.

The measure on travellers entering at land borders is also being removed, but there is no exact date when.

The U.S. implemented the vaccination requirement in 2021 “to slow the spread of new variants entering the country and to allow (the) health care system time to effectively manage access to care if faced with an increase in cases and hospitalizations,” according to a White House statement.

“Since January 2021, COVID-19 deaths have declined by 95%, and hospitalizations are down nearly 91%. Globally, COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic.”

Canada removed all of its COVID-19 entry restrictions last October, including testing, quarantine and isolation requirements for anyone entering the country.