The U.S. is going to restrict travel from South Africa and several other countries due to a troubling new COVID-19 variant.
The White House announced the new rules, which come just weeks after the country reopened to international tourists with new entry rules, on Friday.
The new rules, which take effect Monday, apply to travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are excluded.
The policy was implemented out of an "abundance of caution'' in light of the new variant and in consultation with Anthony Fauci, the president's Chief Medical Officer, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
