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A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 13 January 2022
Biden redoubling focus on testing amid shortages, confusion

the launch of a new fed- and workplaces. we can to make sure that
eral website for Americans "Certainly if you're going to our children have an op-
to order free tests to be gather with family, if you're portunity to stay in school,"
shipped to their doors. going to a gathering where Cardona said Wednesday
The test supply push, people are immunocom- on "CBS Mornings." "That's
though, will likely be too promised or where they're where they need to be,
late for many Americans elderly or where you have and we know we can do it
trying to safely navigate the people who might be un- safely."
omicron-fueled case surge, vaccinated or poorly pro- States are applying to the
which is already showing tected from a vaccine that Centers for Disease Con-
signs of cresting. might be an opportunity trol and Prevention for the
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the you want to test," she add- tests, Cardona said, add-
director of the Centers for ed. ing that he expected distri-
Disease Control and Pre- The school testing initiative bution to begin as early as
vention, on Wednesday of- announced Wednesday next week.
Associated Press fered guidance for when comes after the nation's "We recognize that schools
Americans should use tests third-largest public school are the hubs of the com-
By ZEKE MILLER million lab-based PCR tests — which were in short sup- system, in Chicago, closed munity" and they should
Associated Press will be made available to ply as Americans traveled for days after an impasse be open for instruction, the
WASHINGTON (AP) — The schools starting this month and saw family during the between teachers and secretary added, saying it
Biden administration is re- to ease supply shortages busy holiday season. officials over reopening is "vital for our students."
doubling its efforts to ex- and promote the safe re- "Americans should take policies. The closure was a "We have been very clear,
pand supply and acces- opening of schools. a test when they have black eye for President Joe publicly and privately, that
sibility of COVID-19 testing It said Dr. Tom Inglesby, di- symptoms that appear to Biden, who made reopen- we want to see schools
as it faces mounting criti- rector of the Johns Hopkins be COVID-19," she said, in- ing schools — and keeping open," White House press
cism over long lines and Center for Health Security cluding fever, cough, sore them open — a priority. secretary Jen Psaki said
supply shortages for testing at the Bloomberg School of throat, respiratory symp- Education Secretary Miguel Monday. She cited the mas-
nationwide and confusion Public Health, will join the toms and muscle aches. Cardona said students sive amount of funding for
about when to get tested COVID-19 team to oversee She also said they should need to be in their class- schools as evidence of the
amid the omicron surge. the enhanced testing push. test after known exposure rooms and the announce- administration ensuring "we
The White House an- The moves come just days to the virus, generally five ment shows the administra- were prepared and had re-
nounced Wednesday that before private insurers will days after being exposed, tion's commitment to help- sources needed to address
a dedicated stream of 5 be required to reimburse or earlier as part of test-to- ing schools stay open. whatever may come up in
million rapid tests and 5 Americans for tests and stay protocols in schools "We're doing everything the pandemic."q

US airlines say China is forcing them to cancel some flights

By DAVID KOENIG of positive cases.
AP Airlines Writer Last month, Delta said new
U.S. airlines say China has requirements for clean-
blocked more than a doz- ing planes between flights
en recent and future flights caused a plane bound for
from entering the country, Shanghai to return to Seat-
which has been tighten- tle. The airline said the new
ing already-strict COVID-19 rules extended the time
travel restrictions. planes would need to sit
China ordered the can- on the ground in Shanghai,
cellations after some pas- and weren't workable. The
sengers tested positive for Chinese consulate in San
COVID-19 on flights that Francisco lodged a protest
arrived in China in late De- over Delta's decision.
cember, according to in- In 2020, the Trump adminis-
dustry officials. tration backed down from
American Airlines said Tues- a threat to block four Chi-
day that six of its flights from nese airlines after China
Dallas-Fort Worth to Shang- agreed to let United and
hai in late January and Delta resume limited oper-
early February have been ations that were shuttered
canceled. United Airlines earlier in the pandemic.
said it was forced to can- Last August, the U.S. Trans-
cel six flights from San Fran- Associated Press portation Department lim-
cisco to Shanghai later this Chinese government of- flights and rules designed — currently to 75% — and ited the number of pas-
month. Delta Air Lines said ficials to find ways to mini- to prevent the spread of requires passengers to be sengers on four Chinese
it canceled one flight last mize the impact on travel- the coronavirus. tested before departure airlines' flights to the U.S.
week and another this Fri- ers. The Biden administra- China has been ratchet- and after arriving in the after China imposed similar
day to Shanghai. tion had no immediate ing up travel restrictions country. limits on United Airlines. The
Airlines for America, which comment. after recent outbreaks of If passengers test positive, U.S. said China was putting
represents the largest U.S. The blocking of flights is the COVID-19 as it prepares to the airline that carried an unreasonable burden
passenger and cargo car- latest development in a host the Winter Olympics in them can be forced to on U.S. airlines for travelers
riers, said it was discussing dispute between the two early February. China limits cancel two to four flights, who test positive after arriv-
the matter with U.S. and countries over international capacity on inbound flights depending on the number ing in China.q