US to restrict travel from eight African countries amid rise in new COVID-19 variant: Here is the list of countries

US to restrict travel from eight African countries amid rise in new COVID-19 variant: Here is the list of countries

Biden said on Friday that from Monday, his administration will restrict air travel from eight African countries as a "precautionary" measure to prevent the newly discovered Omicron variant of coronavirus from spreading into the US.

IANSUpdated: Saturday, November 27, 2021, 10:34 AM IST
article-image
US President Joe Biden | Photo Credit: AFP

US President Joe Biden has announced that the US will impose travel restrictions on eight African countries as a new variant of the coronavirus has been detected on the continent.

As per advice from his chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci, Biden said on Friday that from Monday, his administration will restrict air travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi as a "precautionary" measure to prevent the newly discovered Omicron variant of coronavirus from spreading into the US.

The administration was still gathering more information of the variant, according to Biden, who also urged Americans and people around the world to get vaccinated against the virus, Xinhua news agency reported.

The announcement came on the heels of similar restrictions announced by other countries including Britain, Canada and France.

The US restrictions do not apply to US citizens and lawful permanent residents, who nonetheless still need to show proof of negative test before entering the US, according to US media reports citing senior administration officials.

RECENT STORIES

'Will Not Tolerate Attacks On Muslims': UK PM Keir Starmer Announces £10 Million Security Boost For...

'Will Not Tolerate Attacks On Muslims': UK PM Keir Starmer Announces £10 Million Security Boost For...

'Canada Cheated, Got Caught': US President Donald Trump Hits Out At Ottawa Over Ronald Reagan 'Fake'...

'Canada Cheated, Got Caught': US President Donald Trump Hits Out At Ottawa Over Ronald Reagan 'Fake'...

London Officials Impose ₹17,500 Fine On Woman For Pouring Coffee In Roadside Drain; Reverse Order...

London Officials Impose ₹17,500 Fine On Woman For Pouring Coffee In Roadside Drain; Reverse Order...

‘Poverty Surges To 39 Per Cent’: Pakistan Moving Faster Towards Destitution

‘Poverty Surges To 39 Per Cent’: Pakistan Moving Faster Towards Destitution

Pakistan: Three Policemen, Including Senior Officer, Killed In Twin Blasts In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan: Three Policemen, Including Senior Officer, Killed In Twin Blasts In  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa