US President Joe Biden speaks with reporters at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, on Feb. Bethesda = EPA
The United States has released new quarantine measures against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), a new mutant virus ‘Omicron’. Instead of taking lockdown measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we plan to focus on vaccination and expansion of corona testing. Restrictions on overseas entry have been slightly strengthened, but the big principle of reopening to revitalize the economy is still maintained.
At the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, on the 2nd (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden announced strategies for responding to winter and omicron mutations. President Biden said, “This is not a lockdown or lockdown, it is our plan of action, broad vaccination, booster shots and more testing.” He explained that it would expand, deploy a team to respond to the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases, and promote access to vaccines around the world.
Specifically, in the case of students who have not been vaccinated, if close contact is suspected, they will continue to school, but will be required to wear a mask and continue to receive COVID-19 tests. Private health insurance will cover the cost of self-diagnosis kits so that those suspected of being infected with COVID-19 can self-diagnose at home, and the kits will be distributed free of charge to some multi-use facilities such as schools, nursing homes, and prisons.
“More than 100 million people could get booster shots, but they haven’t,” Biden said. .
“New mutations are a cause for concern, but nothing to panic,” Biden said.
Although some restrictions on entry into the United States have been tightened, borders have not been closed. Starting next week, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated, they must present a negative certificate issued within one day of departure. Previously, it had to be issued within 3 days.
However, it may change depending on the spread of Omicron mutation. President Biden said that travel restrictions to South Africa and other countries “build time” for responding to omicron mutations, leaving the possibility of further action. White House press secretary Jen Saki said at a briefing: “The president is assessing every day what additional steps need to be taken to protect Americans.”
Jinwook Kim reporter kimjinuk@hankookilbo.com
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