Fauci says he would advise against additional restrictions on UK travel as the country grapples with the new coronavirus variant

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Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN that while the US should “undoubtedly keep an eye on it,” he warned, “we don’t want to overreact,” and said he would advise not to suspend flights from the UK if the issue arises during Monday, a meeting of the White House coronavirus task force.

Robert Redfield, director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also told another member of the coronavirus task force, Admiral Brett Giroir, that he does not currently recommend additional travel restrictions.

Fauci said that while he has not criticized other countries that have suspended travel in the UK, he would not recommend the US take that step at this point.

Fauci said he believes British officials are doing the right thing by keeping a close eye on the new species. UK Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned on Saturday that the new variant could “spread faster” and was responsible for 60% of new infections in the capital, but he warned that there is currently no evidence that the new variant is more lethal or deadly . would neutralize the effectiveness of the recently approved vaccines.

Countries cut off the UK while Johnson holds a crisis meeting about a new coronavirus variant
On Monday, dozens of countries in Europe, the Middle East and America had announced a travel ban for the UK. Others, such as Greece and Spain, have imposed restrictions requiring travelers arriving from Britain to undergo coronavirus testing or quarantine.
Canada announced a travel ban from midnight on Sunday for a minimum of 72 hours. In South America, Argentina, Chile and Colombia have suspended all direct flights to and from the UK, and El Salvador has banned anyone entering the country from Britain.

France, meanwhile, announced a temporary ban on all travel and escorted cargo on Sunday evenings, causing a potential disaster for trade between the two countries. France said it was in the process of introducing a European health protocol that would allow cargo to flow again.

Monday morning, Giroir, the coronavirus-testing White House czar, told CNN’s John Berman on “New Day” that there was currently no information about a possible UK travel restriction to or from the US due to the new variant.

“I think we are waiting for recommendations from the CDC. Last night, when I spoke to Dr. (Robert) Redfield, there was no recommendation for that. Again, every hour we get more information. I think, as we did and we we need to listen to the best experts, ”he said, noting that a task force meeting took place later Monday.

“I think anything is possible. We just need to put everything on the table, have an open scientific discussion and make a best recommendation,” he said when asked if a travel ban was possible.

CNN’s Nectar Gan, Luke McGee and Andrea Diaz contributed to this report.

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