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Biden and his coronavirus response workforce careworn on the time that the measure was a brief effort to gradual the unfold of the Omicron variant and provides US officers time to evaluate the variant and put together for it to hit the US. But the measure nonetheless confronted criticism after it grew to become clear that Omicron was already spreading in a number of non-African international locations earlier than it was recognized in South Africa, which has a robust public well being surveillance system.
The restrictions got here below elevated scrutiny in current weeks as Omicron was recognized within the US and notably because it grew to become the dominant variant within the final week.
“At the time these restrictions were put in place, it was clear that there was widespread community transmission in South Africa, as well as a great deal of cross-border travel in the region and little surveillance in many of the countries near South Africa,” a senior administration official mentioned.
Biden mentioned Tuesday that he was “considering” lifting the restrictions and officers mentioned Biden had been urged in current days to reverse the ban.
A senior administration official mentioned the US Centers for Disease Control really useful the restrictions be lifted for 2 key causes.
“First, our nation’s health officials have made progress in understanding Omicron; importantly, our existing vaccines are effective against severe disease with Omicron, especially if you’re boosted. Second, with Omicron now present across the US and globally, international travelers from these countries will not have a significant impact on US cases,” the official mentioned.
The eight international locations will now be topic to the identical coronavirus journey protocols the US has imposed on different international locations, requiring foreigners be totally vaccinated and that every one vacationers get a unfavorable coronavirus take a look at inside sooner or later of departure to the US.
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