Biden lifts Omicron-related travel restrictions on 8 southern African countries

Washington — President Biden signed a proclamation on Tuesday rescinding a previous order that restricted travel from eight countries in southern Africa in the hopes of containing the now-widespread Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The highly contagious strain, which now accounts for the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S., was first detected by scientists in South Africa in late November. Mr. Biden quickly restricted travel by non-U.S. citizens from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi in response.

In his proclamation on Tuesday, Mr. Biden said the restrictions "are no longer necessary to protect the public health" and will be lifted after midnight on December 31.