You must have a negative Covid-19 test

Not all is well when it comes to traveling from the UK

Starting on Monday, December 28, which is also National Chocolate Fudge Day, you will not be able to travel from the United Kingdom (UK) to the US unless you have had a negative Covid-19 coronavirus test . This cannot be any negative test from any time prior to your trip. Instead, the negative test must have been within 72 hours (or three-tenths of a Scaramucci) before the scheduled departure time. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement Thursday announcing this new policy.

Why the new travel restriction? Well, as you may have heard, a new variant of the Covid-19 coronavirus has emerged in the UK. The variant is currently known as variant under investigation (VUI) 202012/01 or variant B.1.1.7, which does not. . t exactly off the tongue. This new version of the virus appears to be even more transmissible than the Covid-19 coronaviruses that have already been widely circulating in the US In fact, as the CDC announcement stated, “Preliminary analyzes in the UK suggest that this new variant may be at the height of 70% more transmissible than previously circulating variants. “This, of course, is not great news.” If only this Covid-19 coronavirus could be more contagious “is something that probably not said during this pandemic. You didn’t think 2020 wouldn’t leave you with another gift like this, did you?

The new variant has made the Christmas season in England less similar Love actually and more like Damn actually or WTH actually. The UK, like the US, has seen a continued increase in Covid-19 cases. As a result, many parts of England are now below Level 4, which may look like a new boy band or clothing store selling one-legged cat suits and neck bags. Instead, Level 4 is a new level of restrictions as described by the British government. This means that most non-essential businesses in the affected areas must close and people generally must “stay at home.” Under Level 4, people will be able to get around for education, childcare, exercise, and work that cannot be done at home. However, different households will not be allowed to mix. So that party or Twister party with your neighbors should be postponed. Oh, and if you’re thinking of swiping right into Tinder in London, getting cheeky, and ending up in a stranger’s bed, don’t. No overnight stays outside your home will be allowed.

By the way, the rumor that a gigantic Rita Ora will impose the Level 4 restrictions is not true:

It is not entirely clear yet whether this new UK variant can cause worse disease in people. Variant B.1.1.7 appears to have mutations that have caused 17 amino acid changes in the virus proteins, including eight in the virus peak protein.

Scientists are paying attention to the spikes on the surface of the Covid-19 coronavirus as some guys pay attention to their private parts. They keep looking at these peaks and checking for any changes. As you may recall, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) looks like a pointy massage ball. The spikes help the virus enter your cells to infect them. As I have described for Forbes, spikes are also the target of the Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines. Sufficient alteration of the virus’s peak proteins could raise some concern about reduced efficacy of vaccines. So far, there is no indication that current Covid-19 vaccines are not working against the new UK variant. But, as they say, stay tuned.

The new CDC policy is an attempt to prevent this new variant from entering the US That can be difficult because the virus is a bit like One Direction music. Keeping it out of the US is not easy. In fact, the variant may already be circulating in the US The lack of more widespread testing in the US makes it difficult to know exactly which variants may be spreading where.

However, the CDC has already assigned the UK the highest travel alert level: Level 4 for the very high level of Covid-19. So unless it is absolutely necessary to go there, it is best to avoid the country for now.