The United States has announced that it is maintaining restrictions on entry into the country due to the extension of the Delta variant

United States to maintain current travel restrictions to enter its territory amid increasing infections with the delta variant of the coronavirus, which in the case of this country has caused a sharp increase in cases.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki confirmed on Monday that the intention of the government chaired by Joe Biden was to maintain the current restrictions.

Psaki recalled that the delta variant is spreading across the country and the rest of the world, and in the case of the United States, it has caused a new wave that mainly affects unvaccinated people., and which they hope to continue in the coming weeks.

On the other hand, Psaki considered it normal that the health authorities of the country have an “active” discussion on the measures to be taken, including the possibility of retrieving the mask inside, after senior government epidemiologist Antony Fauci admitted this possibility is being considered.

In any case, he stressed that the government will make decisions according to the recommendations of its scientific and health officials, always in accordance with “the data” and not as a political decision.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found in May that the fully vaccinated population in the United States could go without a mask most of the time.even if you are indoors or with a large group of people.

But this Sunday, Anthony Fauci admitted that they are now considering recommending that vaccinated people wear the mask again, given an increase in infections that is leading the country “in the wrong direction.”

That it is still compulsory in the country until September is the use of masks on airplanes.

When asked if the administration plans to extend this rule for the delta variant, Psaki declined to provide details of the internal debate, but said the CDC is working on rules that will guide the public and companies. aerial.

As for Fauci’s comments that the country is heading in the wrong direction, Psaki attributes them to the fact that there is still a good part of the unvaccinated population.

In this sense, he added that it is necessary to be “responsible” with the data and to remember that 97% of hospitalizations in recent weeks correspond to unvaccinated people.

“The data continues to show that if you are vaccinated you are protected, and it is very unlikely that you will get sick or be hospitalized,” he added.

In the same appearance, Psaki, on the other hand, said he supported the demand by health organizations that vaccination be compulsory among health professionals. But he recalled that the CDC does not give orders but recommendations.

On the other hand, the city of new York will demand from all its municipal employees – including teachers and police officers – get the coronavirus vaccine or have weekly COVID-19 tests, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday.

The standard should cover approximately 340,000 municipal employees, making the city one of the largest employers in the United States to take this step. Although this is not a vaccination mandate – no worker will be required to be vaccinated -, authorities hope the inconvenience and discomfort of weekly testing will persuade many people to overcome their reluctance to get the vaccine.

California has also taken a step similar to New York’s and will require all state employees to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or are undergoing weekly testing.

The new rule will take effect next month, authorities who have approximately 238,000 employees in the state of California said on Monday.

(With information from EFE)

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