Biden tightens travel rules amid new Omicron cases

President Joe Biden has unveiled stricter Covid-19 travel rules as the US confirmed multiple cases of the Omicron variant from coast to coast.

Mr Biden said his plan “doesn’t include shutdowns or lockdowns” and does not expand vaccine mandates.

Cases have been detected in California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York and in Hawaii, where officials say that person had no recent travel history.

Local health officials have reported only mild symptoms in the cases.

The variant has now been found up to 30 countries, according to reports.

It is still not clear whether the highly-mutated Omicron strain is associated with more transmission or more risk of evading vaccines.

Under the details unveiled on Thursday, all international passengers will have to be tested for the virus in the 24 hours before they leave for the US, regardless of their vaccination status. Mask requirements on planes, trains and buses will be extended until March.

The US government will seek to make available millions of free at-home tests through private insurance companies for those who have coverage and through health centres and rural clinics for those who do not.

The administration’s plan for the winter months also consists of steps to encourage all adults to get their booster vaccines, including through a public education campaign and more targeted outreach.

Over 40 million Americans have received their boosters, but Mr Biden said nearly 100 million more are eligible and have not yet had theirs.

Hundreds of family vaccination clinics will be set up across the country in an attempt to increase vaccination rates among children and teenagers.

The US and several other countries have banned travel from eight southern African countries. Health experts have said travel restrictions will buy them time to study the new variant.