COVID-19 testing at Lenasia South, South Africa on December 1, 2021. (Photo: AP)

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it will require all international air travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of arriving the US, including vaccinated people.

Amid the rising concern about the Omicron variant, the Honduras government announced that it will tighten border control, strengthen surveillance, tracing, genetic analysis, testing, and other safety measures, and ensure the delivery of necessary health services.

Italy's medicines agency AIFA on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for administering Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of 5 and 11. The AIFA said available data shows a high level of efficacy, with no safety concerns. Italy will boost random COVID testing at borders to help combat a growing fourth wave that includes the reportedly more transmissible Omicron virus.

World Health Organization (WHO) experts are expected to convene next week to study the data on booster shots, which are increasing around the world. WHO members have agreed to negotiate a global pandemic treaty to fight the next outbreak.