US President Biden on Omicron: Variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic
|US President Joe Biden, in a White House speech to the public on the Omicron variant, said that while the variant is a cause for concern, it is not a cause for panic. Biden urged that the best protection against the vaccine is to get fully vaccinated, and, if already fully vaccinated prior to June 2021, to get the booster shot as well. Biden also asked that the American people wear masks again in indoor settings.
President Biden added that the White House is working with vaccine makers to develop a new variant-specific booster shot if it is needed. Biden said that he would announce a new plan to fight Covid-19 this coming winter that would not include lockdowns.
Asked about the travel restrictions on South Africa, Biden said the restrictions were necessary to buy Americans more time to get prepared/vaccinated, given that the Omicron variant is expected to spread around the world anyway.
Market Reaction
FX markets have not seen any reaction to Biden's comments, which did not contain much by way of any surprises.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.