President Biden plans on combatting new COVID-19 strain

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic saw promising news with the development and distribution of the vaccine but this promising news is experiencing a setback with the discovery of a new strain variation of COVID-19. The new COVID-19 variant, 501Y.V2, also known as the South African variant is 50% more infectious than the novel COVID-19.

Exclusive: Biden to impose South Africa travel ban to combat new COVID-19 variant – sources https://t.co/VLRKDJdVw0 pic.twitter.com/ngvZVUXwmh

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 24, 2021

The South African variant of the COVID-19 strain was detected in nearly 20 countries so far. In response to the discovery of the new COVID-19 strain variation, President Biden is looking to impose travel bans to prevent spreading COVID-19 to the U.S. through international travelers.

President Biden will be imposing a travel ban on non-U.S. citizens who have recently traveled to South Africa, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and 26 other countries of the European Union. The CDC principal deputy director Dr. Anne Schuchat explained South Africa will be added to the travel ban list because of the growing concern about the new strain variant spreading beyond South Africa.

Dr. Schuchat disclosed that the agency is working to create a protocol of measures to protect Americans and reducing the spreading of the COVID-19 strain. Scientists are working towards testing whether the current vaccines will be effective against the South African strain and consider the possibility of re-infection rates.

JUST IN: President Biden is expected to impose travel ban Monday for most non-US citizens traveling from South Africa, 2 White House officials say; Biden is also expected to reinstate travel restrictions affecting travel from the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe. pic.twitter.com/Ub8RdMnRUh

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 24, 2021

Another COVID-19 variant was discovered in the UK, B.1.1.7., with at least 20 U.S. states detecting the UK variant but the current vaccines appear to be effective against the UK variant. Along with travel bans, the CDC director Rochelle Walensky plans to sign an order to require the wearing of face masks in all businesses and modes of transportation in the travel industry.

The Biden administration will be working closely with the CDC to develop essential medical protocols for travelers including pre-screening for COVID-19 before travel.