Omicron: Biden Reverses Ban On Eight Southern African Countries

"At the time these restrictions were put in place, it was clear that there was widespread community transmission in South Africa, as well as a great deal of cross-border travel in the region and little surveillance in many of the countries near South Africa," a senior administration official told Fox News Friday. "We will lift these restrictions effective Friday, December 31 at 12:01 AM."

The official said the president is lifting the travel ban because there's more information about the omicron variant now and because omicron is so pervasive in the United States, "international travelers from these countries will not have a significant impact on US cases."

"At the time these restrictions were put in place, it was clear that there was widespread community transmission in South Africa, as well as a great deal of cross-border travel in the region and little surveillance in many of the countries near South Africa," a senior administration official told Fox News Friday. "We will lift these restrictions effective Friday, December 31 at 12:01 AM."

The official said the president is lifting the travel ban because there's more information about the omicron variant now and because omicron is so pervasive in the United States, "international travelers from these countries will not have a significant impact on US cases."

After the ban was implemented, the U.S. Travel Association called on the president to reconsider. 

"Covid variants are of concern, but closed borders have not prevented their presence in the United States while vaccinations have proven incredibly durable," the group said. "That is why America’s travel industry is a vocal proponent of everyone getting a vaccine. With a vaccine and testing requirement in place to enter the U.S. we continue to believe that assessing an individual’s risk and health status is the best way to welcome qualified global travelers into the United States." 

After the ban was implemented, the U.S. Travel Association called on the president to reconsider. 

"Covid variants are of concern, but closed borders have not prevented their presence in the United States while vaccinations have proven incredibly durable," the group said. "That is why America’s travel industry is a vocal proponent of everyone getting a vaccine. With a vaccine and testing requirement in place to enter the U.S. we continue to believe that assessing an individual’s risk and health status is the best way to welcome qualified global travelers into the United States." 

SOURCE: Fox Business
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