International students - going home for Winter Break (omicron)?

Hi all, 
International student in the US here. I am from Europe and I now have to decide if I should go home over break. With the omicron variant raising and US imposing some travel ban I am starting to reconsider it but also how likely is the US close again to Europe?

Don't really have much knowledge about it and was hoping to get some people's opinion. 

Am I good to go home or should I stay here to protect from the risk of not entering the country in january. 

Thank you!!

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Not a student - but I am travelling here in about 2 weeks for a month PTO. 

There are mixed feelings because there hasn't been anything concrete about the new variant. Some countries imposing travel ban, while the U.S. says its a concern but not to panic. I am getting a booster just in case - and possibly taking my work laptop if I get stuck. 

As a student - things will be different for you. tickets are sky rocketing (at least for me they are) - uncertainty of coming back - or maybe nothing happens? I don't think U.S. will close again - it just won't happen AGAIN. But there might just be more of a hassle of quarantine when you travel and etc... if things had to get worse. OR if your country gets affected - maybe the travelers from that country are banned, as we see with South Africa now. 

Should you take a risk? It's hard to tell. But I personally think you should be fine. 

 

Mine is old and I don't have any Covid/NIE information

This is from Yale website 4 days ago tho:

Please note that the current Proclamation, like previous ones, includes possible “national interest exception (NIE)” for certain noncitizens, however the Department of State has not made any announcements whether certain visa categories (such as F-1 and J-1 students, J-1 scholars, or H-1Bs) would be automatically considered for an NIE.  Travelers should not assume that the NIE’s approved under the four earlier, now revoked geographic proclamations, will be available under this latest proclamation.  If you need to apply for a new visa at any of the eight countries covered by the Proclamation, we recommend that you contact the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate to inquire whether you would be eligible for an NIE. In the absence of an NIE, any individual who has been physically present in one of the designated countries within the past 14 days would need to travel to a third country that is not subject to the restrictions, and stay in that third country for at least 14 days before they would be allowed to enter the U.S. 

 

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