U.S. finalizing new COVID-19 journey guidelines to counter Omicron variant unfold: officers – Nationwide

The Biden administration is anticipated to take steps within the coming days to toughen testing necessities for worldwide travellers to the U.S., together with each vaccinated and unvaccinated folks, amid the unfold of the brand new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The exact testing protocols have been nonetheless being finalized forward of a speech by President Joe Biden deliberate for Thursday on the nation’s plans to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in the course of the winter season, based on a senior administration official who stated some particulars may nonetheless change.

Among the many insurance policies being thought of is a requirement that every one air vacationers to the U.S. be examined for COVID-19 inside a day of boarding their flight. Presently those that are totally vaccinated could current a check taken inside three days of boarding.

“CDC is evaluating the right way to make worldwide journey as secure as doable, together with pre-departure testing nearer to the time of flight and issues round further post-arrival testing and self-quarantines,” Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated Tuesday.

The official, who spoke on the situation of anonymity to debate the administration’s plans earlier than the announcement, stated choices into account additionally embody post-arrival testing necessities and even self-quarantines.

Below the brand new measures anticipated to be introduced Thursday, the U.S. would require anybody coming into the nation to be examined at some point earlier than boarding flights, no matter their vaccination standing or nation of departure, the Washington Submit reported, citing three nameless federal well being officers.

“Administration officers are additionally contemplating a requirement that every one vacationers get retested inside three to 5 days of arrival,” the report stated.

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New border guidelines for Canadians taking brief journeys to U.S.

The anticipated transfer comes simply weeks after the U.S. largely reopened its borders to completely vaccinated overseas vacationers on Nov. 8.

A lot stays unknown in regards to the new variant, which has been recognized in additional than 20 international locations however not but within the U.S., together with whether or not it’s extra contagious, whether or not it makes folks extra significantly ailing, and whether or not it may well thwart the vaccine.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the highest U.S. infectious illness skilled, stated extra can be recognized in regards to the omicron pressure in two to 4 weeks as scientists develop and check lab samples of the virus.

As he sought to quell public concern in regards to the new variant, Biden stated that in his Thursday remarks, “I’ll be placing ahead an in depth technique outlining how we’re going to battle COVID this winter — not with shutdowns or lockdowns however with extra widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and extra.”

Requested by reporters if he would seek the advice of with allies about any modifications in journey guidelines, on condition that former President Donald Trump had caught world leaders abruptly, Biden stated: “Not like Trump I don’t shock our allies.”

On Tuesday, Canada tightened its personal journey restrictions in response to the Omicron variant. Below the brand new measures, anybody arriving by air from all international locations besides the US must take a COVID-19 check upon arrival, Well being Minister Jean-Yves Duclos stated.

Canada additionally restricted journey from three extra southern African international locations – Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi – bringing the whole to 10.

— with recordsdata from World Information’ Saba Aziz