Biden To Add South Africa To Travel Ban List To Combat New COVID-19 Variant
President Joe Biden is set to impose a travel ban this week on a number of countries, including South Africa, to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections in the U.S.
According to Reuters, the travel ban will apply to most non-U.S. citizens entering the country from South Africa, where a new COVID-19 variant was discovered, starting Sunday.
Travel bans for travelers from Brazil, Ireland, UK, and 26 European countries, allowing open borders over the past two weeks, were also reimposed.
A senior public health official confirmed Biden's plans for South Africa travelers in light of the COVID-19 variant. The Biden administration reinstated the travel ban after former president Donald Trump rescinded it despite COVID-19 variant threats.
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Trump set the travel restrictions to be lifted on Tuesday, but Pres. Biden's move will prevent these bans from ending, said a report from The Hill.
Biden is also expected to put back broader COVID-19 related restrictions that were in effect for much of 2020, but was taken back by Trump in the final days of his term, reported NBC News.
CDC Puts Up Measures to Protect Americans from South African COVID-19 Variant
"We are adding South Africa to the restricted list because of the concerning variant present that has already spread beyond South Africa," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) principal deputy director Dr. Ann Schuchat said Sunday.
She added that the CDC would also put "this suite of measures" to protect Americans and to reduce the risk of spreading the variant that could worsen the country's pandemic situation. The CDC and the White House did not provide The Hill with an immediate comment about the measures.
But according to Reuters, CDC head Rochelle Walensky will be signing a separate order on Monday requiring travelers aged two and older to wear masks when they board airplanes, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-share vehicles.
Masks can only be removed for brief periods, such as when eating or drinking. It is set to take effect in the coming days.
On Tuesday, another CDC rule for travelers of the same age range will also require a negative coronavirus test taken three calendar days before travel. Travelers can also present proof that they have recovered from COVID-19 before entering the US.
There will be no more exemptions for some travelers from countries with limited testing capacity, the agency said on January 12. But airlines have also asked the agency to relax the rules for such countries.
The CDC said it would consider case-by-case humanitarian exemptions for some travelers if needed, but added that about 120 countries have mandatory virus testing for international travel.
Biden's Battle Against the Emerging COVID-19 Variant
As Pres. Biden started his term last Wednesday, he was immediately presented with the country's struggles when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As The Hill stated, he faces an "uphill battle" against the virus that has already infected 25 million Americans and killed more than 400,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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The South African COVID-19 variant called 501Y.V2 is reported to be 50 percent more infectious and was found in at least 20 countries worldwide.
In light of worries over the variant, CDC officials said the travel ban list might expand, if necessary. European countries have been under travel restrictions since mid-March, and Brazil was already restricted since May.
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