As part of a major shift to federal response, Biden plans to end the Covid public health emergency by the end of this spring

Taking this action would have a broad impact on government programs and authorities, and mark the beginning of a new era in federal response to Coronavirus.

According to a statement released Monday, existing emergency declarations will be extended until May 11 before expiring. A warning is given in advance, so that health care providers, hospitals, and states can adjust to the changes.

First implemented by the Trump administration on Jan. 27, 2020, the move to wind-down emergency status comes in the wake of two Republican-led bills in the House that would end the designation immediately.

In response to the GOP timeline, the White House said it opposed the move, arguing that ending emergency programs and policies now would “create widespread chaos and uncertainty” inside the country’s health system and government operations.