US President Joe Biden. photo = REUTERS
US President Joe Biden has imposed travel restrictions on eight countries in South Africa where the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) mutation ‘Omicron’ has occurred.
President Biden said in a statement on the 26th (local time) that “as a precautionary measure until we have further information, we are ordering additional air travel restrictions to eight countries, including South Africa.”
The eight countries are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.
The United States lifted travel restrictions on South Africa on the 8th.
President Biden added that the measure will come into effect on the 29th and will receive further recommendations from the science and medical team as the situation progresses.
President Biden then emphasized the need for booster shots for fully vaccinated Americans, and urged Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible if they have not yet been vaccinated.
President Biden also said, “With the advent of new mutations, it has become clear that the fight against a pandemic will not end without global vaccination.” He said that he called for a meeting of each country.
President Biden, who is staying in Nantucket, Massachusetts, for the Thanksgiving holiday, told reporters he is not considering mandating a new vaccine in response to the outbreak, adding that “I don’t know much about this mutation other than that I am very concerned.” said.
Reporter Noh Jeong-dong, Hankyung.com dong2@hankyung.com
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