Biden Signs Legislation Ending Covid 19 National Emergency

The Covid 19 national emergency enacted by then-President Donald Trump in March 2020 was officially ended on Monday by President Joe Biden.

1 minute read

April 11, 2023, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


President Joe Biden signed legislation on Monday that ended the Covid 19 national emergency a few weeks before it was set to expire. President Biden signed the legislation behind closed doors after opposing the legislation but stopping short of a veto.

The legislation enables changes including the end of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s COVID-19 mortgage forbearance program. More than 1.13 million Americans have died of Covid 19 in the last three-plus years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 1,700 Americans died of Covid 19 in the week ending on April 5.

While the legislation ends the national emergency, the public health emergency will continue until May 11, according to multiple reports.

News coverage of the legislation’s approval is available from the Associated Press, the Washington Post, CNN, Politico, and more.

Planetizen has been tracking the pandemic’s influence on communities and the practice of planning for the past three years. Revisit some of the historical record on Planetizen’s pages:

Monday, April 10, 2023 in CNN

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City