Response to fears about the variant. The u. S. And other nations hope that restricting travel from south africa and its neighbors will buy time, as scientists race to learn more about this new variant. Cnns Arlette Saenz joins me from nantucket, massachusetts, where President Biden is spending the weekend. An e. R. Doctor i spoke to said we just need to require vaccination for air travel at this point. What do you think . Do you think the white house is in any mood for those kinds of restrictions . Reporter well, President Biden actually ignored a question kind of along those lines a short while ago while he was out shopping here in nantucket. A reporter on a few occasions shouted a question asking whether more Mitigation Measures needed to be put in place in response to this variant. The president just kept walking by and did not offer his thoughts on there right there. But the president was briefed earlier in the day by his team, and Senior Health officials within the Biden Administr
Warning omicron poses a significant potential risk to its vaccine. Now governments are feeling the pressure to stall for time moving to restrict travel from south africa and several neighboring countries in the netherlands, 600 travelers were tested for covid and 10 tested positive. Tests are under way right now to see if any of them have the Omicron Variant. U. S. Travel restrictions go into effect on monday. But today, two flights from south africa have already arrived in the u. S. One in atlanta. The other in newark, new jersey. Lets go to david mackenzie. Moments ago, u. S. Secretary of state tony blinken he praised south africa. You have said theres some concern in south africa that its being punished for doing the right thing. Reporter thats right, jim. And its significant that the secretary of state had this call with his counterpart here in south africa just a short time ago. The readout saying that he praised south africa scientists and the government coming out so quickly wit