White House to require visitors, journalists to confirm vaccination status

The White House is requiring visitors to the building, including journalists, to confirm they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to testing before entering the complex starting next week.

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) informed members on Friday that they will be required to submit a vaccine attestation form indicating whether they have been fully vaccinated. 

Those who have not been fully vaccinated will have to undergo testing at their own expense or provide proof of a same-day negative test, the association said. The WHCA had previously advised journalists who have not been vaccinated get tested before entering the building, and the organization late last month reimposed a mask requirement for all reporters in the building.

The new policy will apply to other visitors seeking to enter the White House for meetings or other purposes. It is in line with the White House’s new mandate for federal employees and contractors, who are now required to confirm they are fully vaccinated or undergo regular testing.

The Office of Management and Budget previously issued a memo to all federal agencies saying employees must wear a face covering indoors regardless of vaccination status.

The federal government has joined the likes of New York City and several private companies such as Tysons Foods and United Airlines in imposing some type of vaccine mandate for employees as COVID-19 cases spike around the country.