doors across the globe are slamming shut in hopes slowing the spread seven hours from now the u.s. will join multiple nations in restricting travel from seven countries including south africa where this new variant was first identified. cnn's joe johns is at the white house. and, joe, what more are we learning about the president's covid briefing today? >> right. well, just a little bit of clarity as i was walking out here to the camera just a couple minutes ago, i did see the sentry signal. that briefing has wrapped up and we're told to expect a read-out, presumably written, to tell us whatever it is the administration would like us to learn about the president's briefing, which we're told included dr. anthony fauci. and i think also important to say that this administration has been trying pretty much all afternoon to send a very strong and clear message that the