Biden administration restricting travel from southern Africa over COVID variant

The Biden administration is proscribing journey from eight international locations in southern Africa over considerations a few new COVID-19 variant circulating within the area, in keeping with senior administration officers. The restrictions on journey from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi start Monday.

The restrictions do not apply to Americans or lawful everlasting residents though these people should nonetheless take a look at unfavorable previous to touring.

“I’ve determined we will be cautious,” the president advised reporters Friday. “…We do not know rather a lot concerning the variant besides it’s a nice concern, appears to unfold quickly.”

As CBS Information correspondent Debora Patta reported, there’s serious concern among experts that the brand new pressure, which was first found in South Africa, may set again the battle in opposition to the pandemic. South African officers say the variant, which has extra mutations than beforehand detected strains which have emerged around the globe, marks an enormous “soar within the evolution” of the virus for the reason that international well being disaster started two years in the past. There may be concern it may very well be extra proof against the present vaccine formulation.

Senior administration officers mentioned they’re in shut contact with public well being officers within the area to grasp extra concerning the variant, which the World Well being Group has recognized as a “variant of concern.” Different international locations, together with the UK, have already restricted journey from the area.

The variant was present in part of the world with low entry to vaccines. Senior administration officers famous the Biden administration has despatched 13.3 million vaccine doses to the restricted international locations alone, however that is a fraction of what is wanted, particularly contemplating the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses.