America’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended its ban on unvaccinated non-citizens from entering the country to at least January 8, 2023.

The TSA released their update on Friday.

“Together with the Presidential Proclamation and the CDC Order, these policies are intended to limit the risk that Covid-19, including variants of the virus that causes Covid-19, is introduced, transmitted, and spread into and throughout the United States …” the update reads, as reported by Daily Mail.

Unvaccinated non-citizens will have to wait until at least mid-January of next year before visiting the land of the free and home of the brave.

The TSA also said the extended ban prevents health care resources from being overwhelmed, “endangering the health and safety of the American people, and threatening the security of our civil aviation system.” 

The update does not include any information about boosters, so the “vaccinated” definition refers to two jabs only.

The news was met with criticism, particularly given that many health authorities have said that the vaccines’ protection wears thin within 3 to 6 months. 

In August, the CDC conceded that there’s no difference between the risks posed by a vaccinated and unvaccinated person anymore. 

“CDC’s COVID-19 prevention recommendations no longer differentiate based on a person’s vaccination status because breakthrough infections occur, though they are generally mild, and persons who have had COVID-19 but are not vaccinated have some degree of protection against severe illness from their previous infection,” their update reads.

Last month, a Pfizer representative said they never tested the ability of its COVID vaccine to prevent transmission. 

Also, Moderna’s CEO Stephane Bancel admitted on a television program that COVID is “very similar” to the seasonal flu and that people over 50 should prioritize booster shots.