Biden advises ‘concern, not panic’ over Omicron and says no to lockdowns

President says boosters and vaccines are best protection against variant and that additional restrictions are not required

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Joe Biden on Monday said the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus was a cause for concern, not a cause for panic", as the US implemented restrictions on travel from South Africa and several other countries.

In remarks from the White House, Biden urged all Americans to get vaccinated, including booster shots, saying it was the best protection against the new variant.