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According to Reuters, the ban will take effect from January 30 to prevent the spread of a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Dr. Anne Schuchat, deputy director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said in an interview on January 24: “We are adding South Africa to the shortlist due to the viral variant.” The new SARS-CoV-2 has now spread beyond South Africa. This measure is designed to protect Americans, reduce the risk of new variants spreading, and exacerbate the current pandemic. “
Biden also reimposed an immigration ban on most non-U.S. Citizens who have ever been to Brazil, Britain, Ireland and 26 European countries that allow travel across open borders.
President Joe Biden. Photo: AP
Earlier, former President Donald Trump announced on January 18 the lifting of restrictions on Brazil and Europe, but Biden will cancel that decision. The new US president is actively fighting the pandemic amid fears that the current Covid-19 vaccine will not be effective against the South African variant, increasing the likelihood of reinfection.
The South African variant, also known as the 501Y.V2 variant, is 50% more infectious than the other variants and has been detected in at least 20 countries. CDC officials told Reuters they were willing to add other countries to the shortlist if necessary.
The South African variant has yet to be found in the US, but at least 20 states have detected a variant of the UK SARS-CoV-2 virus called B.1.1.7. Current vaccines appear to be effective against this variant.
The South African embassy in Washington had no comment when contacted by Reuters.
A tourist at the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, Virginia – United States. Photo: Reuters
In addition to being suspicious of South Africa, Biden also plans to cooperate with state and local authorities to establish Covid-19 vaccination sites at convention centers, stadiums and arenas. Thousands of health workers from federal agencies, military medical personnel and pharmacy chains will also be mobilized to increase vaccination.
The NBC station quoted Mr. Biden as White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain complaining that the Trump administration “has no plans to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine as the pandemic rages in recent months. . Trump in office. “
“The process of delivering vaccines, especially outside of nursing homes and hospitals in general to the community, didn’t really exist when we got to the White House,” Klain said.
Israel expands its Covid-19 vaccination program
Israel began administering the Covid-19 vaccine to teens ages 16 to 18 as of January 23, health officials said. According to Israel’s Ministry of Health, since the immunization was launched a month ago, around 2.5 out of 9 million Israelis have received the Covid-19 vaccine.
A student was vaccinated with Covid-19 in Israel on January 23. Photo: Flash90
The expansion of the vaccination program, to include 11th and 12th grade students, came a few days after Israel extended its Covid-19 lockdown for the third time to the end of this month due to an increase in the number of infections. . The blockade is expected to expire on the night of January 28, but ministers agree to extend it until January 31.
Currently, Israel has 4,326 deaths from Covid-19 and 593,578 cases as of January 23.
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