Newsinc24 Team 
President Joe Biden has unveiled stricter COVID-19 travel rules as the US confirmed a handful of cases of the Omicron variant from coast to coast. Biden said his plan "doesn't include shutdowns or lockdowns" and does not expand vaccine mandates. Cases have been detected in California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York and in Hawaii, where authorities say that person had no recent travel history. State health officials have reported only mild symptoms in these cases. Under the details, all international passengers will have to be tested for the virus in 24 hours before they leave for the US, regardless of their vaccination status. Mask requirements on planes, trains and buses will be extended until March.
The US Government will seek to make available millions of free at-home tests through private insurance companies for those who have coverage and through health centres and rural clinics for those who do not. The administration's plan for the winter months also consists of steps to encourage all adults to get their booster vaccines, including through a public education campaign and more targeted outreach. Hundreds of family vaccination clinics will be set up across the country in an attempt to increase vaccination rates among children and teenagers. The US and several other countries have banned travel from eight southern African countries. Health experts have said travel restrictions will buy them time to study the new variant.
Meanwhile, Germany's national and regional leaders have agreed to bar unvaccinated people from much of public life in a bid to fend off a fourth wave of COVID-19. Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel described the far-reaching measures as an act of "national solidarity". Vaccinations could be made mandatory by February, the chancellor added. Germany's fourth wave of COVID is its most severe so far, with another 388 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours. There is also growing concern about the spread of the Omicron variant, which EU health officials warn is likely to cause over half of all COVID cases in the next few months. As per new COVID measures, only those who have been vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID will be allowed in restaurants, cinemas, leisure facilities and many shops. The 2G rule will be enforced at restaurants and cultural venues and non-essential shops. 2G rule stands for genesen (recovered in the past six months) or geimpft (vaccinated). Fireworks on New Year's Eve will be banned.
