Commenting on the news of the new B.1.1.529 Covid virus, Dr. Anthony Fauci, U.S. top infectious disease official, noted in an interview with CNN that, at this time, it is not known if this variant is more transmissible or more resistant to immunity. Mutations need to be sequenced and tested to show if a variant can evade immunity, he said.
Dr. Fauci also said that there is no indication that the variant is in U.S., but added that anything is possible.
According to the official, the U.S. government will decide on travel bans once it gets more information. With regards to the South African countries, Fauci notes, the U.S. will be prepared to ban travel from these countries if the data shows its needed.