US to relax travel restrictions on eight African countries

The United States has announced that it will lift the travel ban on eight southern African countries imposed over concerns about the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The US had imposed the ban on visitors from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and five other countries in November following the spread of the Omicron variant.

White House Assistant Press Secretary Kevin Munoz tweeted on Friday that travel restrictions will be lifted on December 31.

Munoz wrote that the restrictions gave the administration time to understand Omicron and realize the existing vaccines are effective against the variant.

The measure comes as most daily cases in the US are now of the Omicron variant, and the travel ban is no longer seen as being necessary.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden suggested the travel pause might be lifted as it has served its purpose.

COVID-19 infections continue to rise in the US, with the weekly average of new daily cases topping 170,000.

The Biden administration says it will try to curb the number through vaccinations and testing, without severe restrictions.