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Stricter Rules Go Into Effect for Travel to U.S.; U.K. to Require Pre-Departure Test for Inbound Travelers; Europe Sees Protest Over New Restrictions, Mandates; Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison in Myanmar; U.S. Expected to Announce Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics; Oxford School District Asks for Independent Investigation. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired December 06, 2021 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:00:00]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world, I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead on CNN NEWSROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are screening people who fly into the United States but we're not screening people who fly around the United States. Hopefully we'll be able to lift that ban within a quite reasonable period of time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Omicron variant concerns bring new travel restrictions in the U.S. and the U.K. a live report from London's Gatwick airport just ahead.

The Biden administration is expected to announce a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. And we'll tell you how China is reacting to the news.

And ash and destruction in Indonesia displaced hundreds of people. Authorities say the volcano is still dangerous.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Rosemary Church.

It is Monday, December 6th and we begin with the Omicron variant. Right now, new COVID testing requirements are in effect for all travelers coming to the United States. So, here's what you need to know. There are Omicron cases in at least 16 states including California and New York. Now all travelers boarding a flight to the U.S. must have proof of a negative COVID test one day before takeoff. Plus, foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated to enter the country and a mask mandate remains in place for all airports, planes, and public transportation. Though the new variant is causing alarm worldwide, here's what top medical experts are saying about it. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, U.S. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Thus far it does not look like there is a great degree of severity to it, but we've really got to be careful before we make any determinations that it is less severe or really doesn't cause any severe illness comparable to Celta. But thus far the signals are a bit encouraging regarding the severity.

DR. FRANCIS COLLINS, DIRECTOR, U.S. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH: It's certainly possible that this is not the last emerging variant that will attract a lot of attention and a lot of concern. To the extent that that's going to keep happening. If we don't have adequate immune protection across the globe. Yes, we're going to see something and we'll have to use other letters in the Greek alphabet.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: But the Delta variant is still the biggest threat here in the United States. The country is now averaging more than 100,000 new cases each day. COVID deaths are also increasing. According to the Johns Hopkins University, an average of more than 1,600 people are dying from the virus every day and health experts say masks and vaccines are still the best protections against the virus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, DIRECTOR, U.S. CDC: We recommend masking in public indoor settings in areas that have high or substantial transmission, and that's over 80 percent of our counties right now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you rather see a nationwide mandate?

WALENSKY: I would rather see people get vaccinated, boosted and follow a recommendation. I'd rather not have requirements in order to do so. People should do this for themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And new requirements for travel from abroad to the U.K. will take effect early Tuesday morning. Nigeria has been added to the travel red list. And starting tomorrow, anyone wanting to travel to the U.K. will be required to have a negative test two days before departure.

Meanwhile, as more COVID restrictions take effect across Europe, it is leading to unrest. Police in Brussels use water cannon and tear gas to disburse protesters who are angry about new COVID measures. Twenty people were arrested in those scuffles. On Friday the government announced new restrictions including a mask mandate for children over the age of 6. Melissa Bell is in Paris.

But first, we'll go to Anna Stewart. Good to see you both., who is live at Gatwick International Airport just outside of London. So, morning to you, Anna. Travelers throughout the world are being caught off guard by changes to travel requirements. [04:05:00]

So, what is the U.K. doing to combat the threat posed by the Omicron variant? What are the restrictions?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Good morning, Rosemary. Yes, the travel rule book has been rewritten again and it's certainly catching some people out, particularly people in southern African countries who are struggling to get home. Given so many have been added to travel ban lists here in the U.K. -- as you said, Nigeria added to the red list. That means only U.K. citizens can travel from there and they need to stay in a quarantine hotel on arrival into the U.K. for ten days costing $3,000. And we are reading reports that people having to wait days or possibly even weeks to get on to one of these facilities given that they're at capacity.

So, that's that. Then there are all of the additional testing requirements. From tomorrow morning people have to do a pre-departure test to come to the U.K. That's done within two days before hand having a rapid or PCR. And that's also in addition to the two-day test. You have to test within two days of arriving into the U.K. and that one does need to be a PCR test.

All of this, of course, will deter some people from traveling. The cost of it. The fact of it. And I think this is causing a huge amount of stress to the travel and tourism industry. Who course are really hoping for an uptick in the holiday season. And of course, some scientists question whether or not this is coming a little bit late given there are 246 cases identified of Omicron in the U.K. Which already doubled already increasing by 50 percent over the weekend. So, that's the story here. More restrictions -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: Right, and, Melissa, police in Brussels, Belgium are using water cannon and tear gas in response to angry protesters not happy with new COVID measures there. What's the latest?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is something we're going to see only more of in the coming weeks, Rosemary. Already this weekend, as you mentioned, Belgium once again seeing protests. Luxembourg as well. And Austria for the third weekend in a row against those restrictions that are only going to tighten as governments try to get the unvaccinated to change their minds and go ahead and get the vaccines.

This of course, as we see in so many European countries. At the moment. ICUs reaching crisis levels. German authorities warning that the numbers that they're seeing, the COVID numbers, the daily announcements of the cases may be well under what they actually are simply because of the rise, the surge being such that it's difficult to keep track and to keep those figures up to date. It gives you an idea just how disastrous the situation is as that Delta variant continues its spread even here in France, Rosemary, where we have vaccination rates of nearly 80 percent. One of the best vaccination rates in Europe.

We're expecting fresh restrictions or certainly fresh measures to be announced this morning which will see likely the extension of vaccines for the very youngest. But also, a hardening of that vaccination pass that allows to you do so much here in France because countries are having, once again, to try to make it as hard as they possibly can for the unvaccinated. But the growing number of countries, Germany now looking at following Austria's lead and possibly thinking about making vaccinations mandatory. In this is something Ursula von der Leyen had said may at some point be considered at a Europe wide level. That is how desperate European governments to get the unvaccinated. Vaccinated simply because the health systems even at this stage cannot cope -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: That is critical. Melissa Bell and Anna Stewart, many thanks to you both.

Well, a court in Myanmar has sentenced ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison on charges of incitement and violating COVID-19 protocols. It's the first verdict against the Nobel Peace Prize winner since the military seized power in a February coup. The 76-year-old still faces 10 more criminal charges, including corruption, all of which could amount to decades more in prison.

CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us now from Sydney, Australia, with more on this. And Paula, this is a crushing blow to Suu Kyi and all her supporters. How politically motivated is all of this?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, the assumption is that this is 100 percent politically motivated. That critics of the military junta who took power by force on February 1st deposing that democratically elected government headed up by Aung San Suu Kyi. The assumption is now that the military junta wants to keep her and President Win Myint -- who also was sentenced to four years today -- behind bars. To make sure that they are not seen in public, that they can no longer be part of any political system within the country so that the military can consolidate their power.

And what we saw today as well, is four years for Aung San Suu Kyi and those closest to her, but these were among the lesser charges that have been laid against her. We still have some significant charges that will be heard in the coming weeks and months.

[04:10:00]

We know there is the breach of the official secrets act which carries a maximum of 14 years. There is also corruption charges against her which carries a maximum of 15 years.

So, potentially, as you say, Aung San Suu Kyi stands to have decades of a prison term against her. She is 76 years old now and certainly, there are great concerns as to what exactly the military is doing here. There's already been criticism and we are expecting a lot more from around the world.

Amnesty International calling this, quote, an unbridled destruction of freedom. Calling them bogus charges. Saying that this is the court's farcical and corrupt decision to try and keep her silenced and to keep those around her silenced. And this is really the overwhelming feeling that the military took

power in February of this year claiming that the election in November the year before was null and void, that there was fraudulent activity. But international observers said that's simply not the case. So, this is certainly seen as politically motivated and not necessarily an awful lot it seems at this point that Aung San Suu Kyi can do to try and appeal these charges and these verdicts given the international pressure, we have seen on the military junta so far, have done very little -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: In the world of course, are watching, watching this very closely. Paula Hancocks joining us live from Sydney. Many thanks.

Well, sources close to the Biden administration say a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics is expected to be announced sometime this week. That means no U.S. government officials would attend the games silently protesting China's human rights abuses without impacting U.S. athletes who wish to compete. President Joe Biden first mentioned he was considering a boycott last month. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout joins me now live from Hong Kong. Good to see you, Kristie. So, talk to us about the reaction so far in China to this possible diplomatic boycott.

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, China's ministry of foreign affairs has responded this day saying that they will take, quote, resolute counter measures, unquote, to the Biden administration. We've also been monitoring Chinese social media today. And the censors have been busy at work on the popular social media platform Sina Weibo. The words United States Olympic boycott have been actively blocked and censored online in China.

This after several sources told CNN that the Biden administration will this week announce a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Olympic games. Not a full boycott but a boycott that would have U.S. government officials not attending the opening ceremonies of the upcoming games. So, this was expected, you know, for quite a while now and the run-up to the games.

U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been demanding a diplomatic boycott over human rights concerns in regards to China including the charge that China vehemently denies of committing genocide against Uighurs and other ethnic Muslim minorities in the western Xinjiang region last month. We know that the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was talking to a number of other countries about the Olympic participation issue. And that other world leaders, including Boris Johnson of the U.K. also have been weighing in considering a potential diplomatic boycott.

Up to this moment China has been just condemning these calls for a diplomatic boycott calling it a malicious hype. Saying it was politicizing sport. The issue was raised today just in the last hour or so at a ministry of foreign affairs briefing. And we heard this from the MOFA spokesman, Zhao Lijian.

He said, quote: The U.S. should stop politicizing sports and hyping up this so-called diplomatic boycott so as not to affect China/U.S. dialogue and cooperation in important areas -- unquote.

Now Zhao Lijian also went on to call the boycott, quote, a grave offense to 1.4 billion Chinese people. He also mocked American politicians for being, quote, totally mock-ish, sensationalist and politically manipulative -- as in his words -- China had yet to invite the United States and its officials to the Beijing Olympic Games. Back to you -- Rosemary.

All right, many thanks to our Kristie Lu Stout join us live from Hong Kong.

And still to come, new details released by the Michigan school system where a tragic shooting happened last week. The warning signs staff witnessed and the call for an independent investigation.

Plus, rescue efforts are underway in Indonesia following Saturday's deadly volcano eruption. Why officials say the threat is not over yet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: We are learning more about the building where the parents of the school shooter in Michigan were arrested, specifically, the man whose work space the couple was found in. The 65-year-old contacted police saying he had no idea James and Jennifer Crumbley had active warrants for their arrest. So far, he hasn't been charged with any crimes. CNN's Athena Jones has the latest on the investigation from Michigan.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there. Well, the Oxford School District is now requesting an independent third-party investigation into the events leading up to Tuesday's deadly shooting. In a letter from the superintendent to the school's community they're revealing more about the school's version of the events leading up to that day.

So, we know now that on Monday when Ethan Crumbley was discovered looking at images of ammunition on his cell phone, he told a school counselor and a school staff member that he and his mother had recently gone to a shooting range and that shooting sports were part of -- were a family hobby.

We know that on Tuesday morning after a teacher alerted the school counselor about Ethan Crumbley's concerning drawings. Ethan told the school counselor that the drawings was depicted a semi-automatic handgun, a bullet, a body with bullet holes in that appear to be bleeding. And words like blood everywhere and this thoughts don't stop, help me. Crumbley said that that drawing was part of a video game he was designing.

[04:20:03]

And so, the letter said that at no time did counselors believe that Ethan Crumbley exhibited behavior that showed he was going to be a harm to himself or to others. They say his demeanor was calm. One key point from this letter is that the superintendent writes that Ethan Crumbley's parents did not inform the school district about their son's access to a firearm or that they had recently purchased him a firearm. What is not clear from the letter whether the school asked the Crumbley's about Ethan's access to a firearm.

We've also learned more about the man who helped James and Jennifer Crumbley into the building, that warehouse in Detroit where they were discovered in the early hours of Saturday morning. That man is cooperating with authorities. We know he's a local artist there in Detroit who uses the location as a work space. And through his lawyer he says, you know, he did not know, he wasn't aware that the Crumbleys were facing an arrest warrant. This man, has as I said, retained a lawyer and he could still face charges for having helping the Crumbleys.

Athena Jones, CNN, Pontiac, Michigan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: On Sunday a U.S. Senator representing Connecticut site of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in 2012, spoke with CNN about what he feels needs to happen to stop gun violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): It looks as if these parents bought a gun for their child who shouldn't have ever possessed it. And so, if parents are in violation of state law, they should be held accountable. I do think that this really should make us think hard about safe storage laws. In Connecticut we have on the books a law that requires parents to safely store their guns. And if those guns aren't locked up with minors in the house, they can be held accountable without question. Michigan doesn't have that law on the books, but we should pass that on a national basis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Tony Montalto's daughter was killed in a school shooting in 2018. He now leads an organization working to protect students in all U.S. schools. And says the Oxford shooting was largely preventable.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TONY MONTALTO, DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN PARKLAND SHOOTING: We see the school doing a good job of initially identifying the student, bringing in the parents but what they failed to do is bring in their behavioral assessment team. Their behavioral threat assessment team would have consisted of school personnel, mental health professionals and law enforcement.

And the reason you want that multi-disciplinary approach is because each of those folks bring something special to the table. Perhaps mental health professional would have looked at some of those drawings and said, we need to get this child help immediately. Perhaps law enforcement at the school would have looked at some of these warning signs and said, you know what, we need to search your backpack before we send you back to class. But again, that's why these multi- disciplinary teams are so important.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And that was Tony Montalto, father of Gina Rose Montalto who was killed in the 2018, Parkland, Florida school shooting.

Well, Milwaukee's Dancing Grannies walked arm in arm Saturday night in Wisconsin. Their first public appearance since a driver barreled through the Waukesha Christmas parade two weeks ago. Four of their members were killed. The Dancing Grannies have been a staple in Wisconsin since 1984. They usually perform in about 25 parades each year. The group hopes to be dancing again by spring.

Well, the U.S. is paying tribute to long time Senator Bob Dole who died on Sunday at age 98. Dole was a decorated World War II veteran who served 27 years as a U.S. Senator from Kansas and was once a Republican nominee for president. Dole's family says he dedicated his life to serving the American public. They say he will be remembered for his integrity, humor, compassion and unfounded work ethic.

Tributes have come in from both Republicans and Democrats.

President Joe Biden has ordered flags flown at half-staff honoring Dole as, quote, an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the greatest generation and to me he was also a friend whom I could look to for trusted guidance or a humorous line at just the right moment to settle frayed nerves. I will miss my friend.

And former President George W. Bush said in part, I will always remember Bob's salute to my late dad at the Capitol and now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service.

Ukraine is expected to be high on the agenda when the leaders of the U.S. and Russia meet virtually on Tuesday. We will have a preview just ahead.

[04:25:02]

Plus, why Donald Trump's remain in Mexico immigration policy is back in effect. And what the Biden administration hopes to do about it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Rosemary Church. And if you are just joining us, I want to bring you up to date with our top stories at this hour.

The U.S. is placing new travel rules for all travelers coming into the country. Those boarding a flight into the United States must have proof of a negative COVID test one day before takeoff and foreign travelers must still be fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Biden administration say a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics is expected to be announced sometime this week. It would mean no U.S. government officials would attend the games. And we will have much more on both of these stories next hour on "EARLY START."

Well, in the coming hours, U.S. lawmakers will be getting back to work on Capitol Hill and all eyes will be on the Senate this week amid a push to pass President Biden's economic agenda before Christmas. Senate Democrats want immigration provisions to be included in Mr. Biden's Build Back Better Act which could provide a temporary reprieve to undocumented immigrants. All this as a Trump era immigration policy goes back into effect. CNN's Matt Rivers has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "Remain in Mexico" is back for now.