The United States will tighten requirements for international travelers due to the Omicron version of the coronavirus

President Joe Biden’s government will take steps in the coming days to tighten diagnostic testing requirements for travelers traveling to the United States, whether vaccinated or not, amid the spread of the new Omicron version of the coronavirus. .

The country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement on Tuesday that they are already working to address the need. All people arriving by air in the country have to undergo a diagnostic test for COVID-19 24 hours before boarding their flights, Currently, people with a full vaccination schedule can submit an analysis done up to three days before their travel.

,CDC is working to revise its current global travel analysis order as we learn more about the Omron version; A revised order will reduce the period for all international travelers to perform the required diagnostic tests to one day before departure for the United States.”, indicated the agency.

Exact clinical testing protocols are still being detailed in anticipation of Biden’s speech, scheduled for Thursday, in which he will help his government to control the COVID-19 pandemic during the winter season, according to a senior official. plans will be drawn up. Change.

CDC Director Rochelle Valensky said, “CDC is evaluating how to make international travel as safe as possible, including clinical trials closer to flight dates and consideration of additional post-arrival testing and voluntary quarantine. Are included.”

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity so that he could reveal the government’s plans ahead of their formal announcement, said that Options to consider also include post-arrival diagnostic testing or voluntary quarantine.

The government is studying the possibility of requiring air travelers to submit Another test within three to five days of your arrival for the country, officials said. Although the CDC did not confirm this, they also believe that “Post-travel quarantine for any non-vaccinated traveler“(with some exceptions that are enabled).

Currently, the CDC recommends that diagnostic tests be performed within three to five days after arriving in the United States from abroad, as well as isolating unvaccinated travelers, although compliance is voluntary and it is believed that Some people do this.

The CDC lists nearly 80 foreign destinations at “level four,” the highest level of COVID-19 transmission, and advises Americans against traveling to those destinations.

there is a new solution Just weeks after the United States fully opened its borders to foreign travelers with a full vaccination plan, on November 8, and established a two-stage clinical analysis system that gave travelers with a complete vaccination plan additional time to receive a diagnostic test prior to their arrival, while non-immunized passengers were forced to submit fewer than 24 clinical trials performed. few hours before your flight.

Much is still unknown about the new variant – having been detected in more than 20 countries, but not yet in the United States – such as whether it is more contagious, causes more severe disease, or has been found in existing vaccines. protection provided by.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s leading infectious disease expert, said more will be known about the oomicron mutation within two to four weeks as scientists develop and analyze laboratory samples of the new version of the coronavirus. ,

In an effort to reassure the population of the new version’s appearance, Biden said in his statement next Thursday “I will present a detailed strategy for how we are going to fight COVID this winter, not a lockdown or confinement.” with. , but with mass vaccinations, boosters, diagnostic tests and more”.

Asked by reporters whether he would consult with Allied governments about any changes to travel rules, given that his predecessor Donald Trump came to surprise world leaders, Biden said: “Trump Unlike, I don’t surprise my colleagues.” ,

(With information from AP and Reuters)

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