Posted on Dec. 2021 at 12:54
It’s confirmed. Three and a half weeks after reopening its borders to everyone, the United States has already announced a tightening of arrival conditions to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of the Covid, a first case of which was identified on its territory on Wednesday.
All international visitors, regardless of their nationality and vaccination status, must present a negative screening test dated less than 24 hours before the departure of their flight, compared to 72 hours previously.
This measure is part of a series of initiatives presented on Thursday by the Biden administration to fight the pandemic. The plan therefore does not include any spectacular announcements – such as the idea of a compulsory quarantine on arrival which had circulated in the American press.
“Family” vaccination clinics
The White House is rather counting on strengthening already existing measures, such as screening with the reimbursement of home tests by private health insurance and the increase in the number of tests distributed free of charge. The obligation to wear a mask in transport is also extended by two months until March 18.
As for anti-Covid vaccines, which remain the priority of the plan to fight the virus, the authorities want to strengthen the booster dose campaign as well as the vaccination of children. Joe Biden notably wants to launch “hundreds” of “family” vaccination clinics, in which children can be vaccinated while their parents and grandparents receive their booster doses.
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