OREANDA-NEWS. New restrictions on entry into the country due to the coronavirus have been in place in the US since today. They are linked to the rapid spread of the new Omicron strain, reports CNN. Earlier, cases of infection had been detected in several states.

Passengers on any flights arriving in the United States will now be required to submit a negative test for the coronavirus, which is received no earlier than 24 hours before crossing the border (until now it was allowed to submit a test taken 72 hours in advance). However, the new rules will apply to all countries, regardless of whether or not those entering are vaccinated. The same rules will apply to unvaccinated US citizens and those holding a residence permit.

In addition, the mask regime in planes, trains, buses and airports has been extended until 18 March.

At the same time, US authorities have stipulated that there is no need for mandatory quarantine for those arriving in the country.

Entry into the US remains prohibited for those arriving from countries where the new omicerone strain was identified in mid-November. These are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The same ban also applies to citizens of other countries who have visited these African states within the last 14 days. An exception will be made for US citizens.

Earlier, the UN called entry restrictions on the emergence of the omicron strain ineffective. "Given that the virus really knows no borders, travel restrictions that isolate a country or region are unfair, repressive and ineffective," Secretary-General António Guterres wrote on his Twitter page.

The new strain of coronavirus B.1.1.529 was first identified in South Africa on 11 November. The World Health Organization (WHO) has named it "Omicron" and declared it a global risk because of its spread. According to WHO preliminary data, this strain may be more infectious than its predecessors.