- Karine Jean-Pierre says President Biden will seek to minimize physical contact with other officials.
- She cited the rise of new variants of the COVID-19 virus.
- White House is looking to increase masking and reduce contact at this point in the pandemic, she said.
President Biden would try to “minimise” personal contact with other officials during his trip to the Middle East; White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday; noting the emergence of new COVID-19 variations.
On board Air Force One, Jean-Pierre informed reporters, “The president takes a variety of COVID safeguards; and additional ones when he travels”. “Wherever we can, we’re attempting to minimise interaction; as much as possible.”
Following rumours that the White House had told the office of Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid; that Biden would not be shaking hands during the visit; she made her remarks.
Even though the president has recently made appearances at sizable events in the U.S; where he has shook hands with other individuals, Jean-Pierre claimed that the decision to limit Biden’s interaction; with other people on the international tour marked a change in policy.
When asked if Biden wanted to avoid having his hand shake with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; when he was in Saudi Arabia, Jean-Pierre responded that the choice was based on the doctor’s advise; and he would try to “minimise contact as much as possible.”
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White House health officials briefed reporters on the strategy to combat BA.5; during a briefing on Tuesday, which focuses on access to vaccinations; COVID-19 treatments, masks, and testing. She pointed out that BA.4 and BA.5; which are subvariants of the COVID-19 omicron variant; currently make up the majority of cases in the U.S.
In order to prevent Biden from getting COVID-19; the White House claims to take extra measures surrounding him. These preparations include screening officials before they come into close contact; with the president and enforcing mask use in West Wing meetings. Biden, who has had vaccinations and booster shots; tested negative before leaving for the trip, according to Jean-Pierre.
Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor for the White House; said that at this stage of the epidemic, White House officials were seeking to boost masking; and decrease contact.
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