US Imposes Entry Restrictions on 8 Countries Due to New COVID Variant Emergence

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States has imposed travel restrictions on eight countries in the South African region where the 'Omicron' COVID-19 variant has emerged.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 26th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden stated in a press release that he received a report on the Omicron variant from his advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and announced, "As a precautionary measure until we have additional information, I am ordering further flight travel restrictions on eight countries including the Republic of South Africa."

President Biden added, "This measure will take effect from the 29th," and "We will receive further recommendations from scientific and medical teams as the situation develops."

The countries restricted from entering the United States are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi, totaling eight countries.

This measure does not include a flight ban, and the restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

President Biden's order came less than 20 days after allowing entry into the U.S. for those who have completed vaccination on the 8th.

Canada also on the same day completely banned entry for foreign travelers who have visited seven countries in the South African region. The seven countries are the Republic of South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Eswatini.

Prior to the U.S., Russia decided to ban entry of foreigners from Hong Kong and South African countries starting from the 28th.

The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Israel, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, and others have announced measures such as suspending flights from southern Africa or banning entry except for their own nationals.

Meanwhile, President Biden announced that he will request a meeting of countries for vaccine intellectual property waivers at next week's World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference.