The move means a moratorium on evictions will stay in place until October 3, 2021. Photo: Internet Source

The move will help keep millions inside their homes at a time when states have been slow to release federal rental aid. An earlier moratorium had expired over the weekend, but mounting pressure led President Joe Biden to ask the CDC to reconsider the ban.

The measure halts evictions in counties with "substantial and high levels'' of virus transmissions, covering areas where 90% of the US population lives.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said restaurants, gyms, and other businesses will require proof of vaccination from mid-September. It will be the first major US city to implement such a rule. 

Even as cases rise, political leaders are encouraging mask mandates and vaccination instead of imposing restrictions. 

The New York Times reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aiming to give full approval to the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine in early September. 

The FDA gave the vaccine emergency approval last year. Some believe a full approval could push more people to get the shot. 

A study by Chilean health authorities showed that the Sinovac vaccine was 58.5% in preventing symptomatic illness among Chileans who had received the jab.

The "real world" data also found the BioNTech-Pfizer shot to be 87.7% effective, whereas the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was 68.7% effective. Chile has now vaccinated more than 60% of its population.