US Also Plans to Strengthen Entry Restrictions: COVID Test Within 24 Hours Before Departure and 7-Day Quarantine

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] As the Omicron COVID-19 variant spreads worldwide, the United States is reportedly set to strengthen regulations on international arrivals.

According to the Washington Post on the 1st (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to require travelers entering the U.S. to submit COVID-19 test results taken within 24 hours before their flight to the United States.

This is a significantly stricter measure compared to the previous requirement of submitting test results taken within 72 hours.

The U.S. government is also considering a second test within 3 to 5 days after arrival and a 7-day quarantine period.

Political media outlet Politico, citing White House officials, reported that the U.S. government will soon announce strengthened travel restrictions. Officials expect President Joe Biden to personally announce the travel regulations ahead of the year-end holiday travel season.

Jeffrey Zients, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, mentioned in a briefing the day before that various health agencies are evaluating the transmissibility, severity, and vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant in relation to travel restrictions.

Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, said in an interview with CNN, "Travel restrictions cannot completely stop the variant, but they can buy time."

The U.S. allowed entry for fully vaccinated travelers with a negative COVID-19 test result starting from the 8th of last month, but from the 29th of last month, it has blocked entry of travelers from African countries where Omicron has emerged, including South Africa.

Earlier, President Joe Biden stated that large-scale travel restrictions due to Omicron are not yet being considered.