jpnn.com, AMERIKA - The United States is moving quickly to anticipate the spread of the new variant of Covid-19, Omricon.
It has banned travelers from eight countries on the African continent from entering the country.
ALSO SEE: Countries Where Covid-19 Omicron Variant Has Existed
The ban was announced by US President Joe Biden, Friday (26/11) local time, following the discovery of the new variant of Covid-19 in South Africa.
The restrictions took effect Monday (Nov 29), but it does not apply to US citizens and legal permanent residents, said an administration official.
ALSO SEE: 5 Facts You Need to Know About Covid-19 Omicron Variant
The United States was among countries around the world that immediately suspended travel from South Africa due to news of the new variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) calls omicron "a variant of concern".
ALSO SEE: Two Covid-19 Variants Coalesce in America, Scientists Worry
Restrictions in the US apply to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Most non-US citizens who have been in those countries in the previous 14 days will not be allowed into the US.
"As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries," Biden said in a statement.
"These new restrictions will take effect on November 29. As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises."
Another administration official warned that the US could add several countries to the list of restrictions if the variant spreads.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will resume non-stop flights from Newark to Cape Town on December 1.
Shares of both airlines closed down more than 8 percent on Friday.
In a meeting at the World Trade Organization on Friday (26/11), Biden asked the countries present at the meeting to exclude intellectual property protection for the Covid-19 vaccine after the discovery of a new variant.
"The news about this new variant should make clearer than ever why this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations," Biden said in a statement.
Some public health experts say the US is not providing enough vaccine abroad, as it speeds up the injection of a third dose of vaccine for Americans.
Previously, the senior US official for infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said the US was rushing to collect data on the new Covid-19 variant.
It can take scientists weeks to fully understand variant mutations.
Health authorities are trying to determine whether Omicron is more contagious than other variants and whether vaccines are effective against it. (Antara/Reuters/mcr20/JPNN)
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