US CDC Advises Against Travel to France, Portugal, and 2 Other Countries

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to four countries?France, Jordan, Portugal, and Tanzania?due to concerns over the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

According to major foreign media on the 6th (local time), the CDC also raised the travel alert level to the highest 'Level 4: Very High' for three additional countries?Andorra, Cyprus, and Liechtenstein?adding them to the existing list of 83 countries.

To prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, U.S. authorities have required all travelers entering the United States from this day forward to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within one day prior to departure, tightening the previous requirement of within three days before departure.

Additionally, since November 29, the U.S. has banned entry for most foreign tourists coming from eight African countries, including South Africa.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated, "We are evaluating and discussing the travel restrictions on Africa daily."

France announced on the same day that it has confirmed 25 positive cases of the Omicron variant so far. In response, France plans to close nightclubs and strengthen social distancing measures to combat the Omicron variant.

However, it does not intend to implement new lockdowns or curfews.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said, "Although the fifth wave of COVID-19 has begun, the situation is relatively better than before because about 90% of the population eligible for vaccination has been vaccinated."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.