US may impose fresh curbs amid surge in COVID cases: Biden

US President Joe Biden has hinted that new guidelines or restrictions would be imposed in the United States in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

US health authorities last week recommended that even vaccinated Americans again wear masks indoors in areas with high infection rates.
US health authorities last week recommended that even vaccinated Americans again wear masks indoors in areas with high infection rates. Photo courtesy: White House

Asked if Americans should expect new recommendations from health authorities or new restrictive measures, the president responded, “in all probability,” before leaving the White House by helicopter for the weekend.

He did not specify what steps could be taken.

US federal authorities, local officials and businesses have boosted health protocols in recent days in the face of surging cases spurred by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Biden added, however, that the country had had “a good day” last Thursday in terms of vaccinations.

US health authorities last week recommended that even vaccinated Americans again wear masks indoors in areas with high infection rates.

The federal government has also tightened health regulations for its millions of employees, who must now either be vaccinated or wear masks and be tested regularly, even in areas with low case numbers.