Faced with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning about the highly contagious variant of the omicron coronavirus, several governments announced restrictions to prevent the spread of the new strain.
The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic confirmed the first cases of the omicron variant on Saturday as Dutch authorities quarantined 61 passengers from South Africa who tested positive for Covid-19.
On the European continent, the British government announced that it will require anyone arriving in the country to undergo a PCR test and remain isolated until the result is obtained. In addition, the mask will once again be mandatory in stores.
Turkey decided to suspend flights from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini (or Swaziland), Mozambique and Malawi to avoid the spread in the country of the new variant.
In America, the governments of the United States, Brazil, Canada, Peru, Guatemala, among others, announced restrictions on travelers and tourists from at least five African countries due to the new strain of the coronavirus.
Asian governments also announced that they will take measures to address the omicron variant.
Australia announced on Saturday that it will restrict entry into its territory to travelers who have visited nine African countries in the past two weeks.
The Ministry of Health indicated in a statement that the measure, of immediate application, supposes the prohibition of entry into the country for non-Australian travelers or residents who have visited South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland in the last 14 days. , Malawi, Mozambique or the Seychelles Islands.
While several countries have begun to shut down, South Africa claims it is being “punished” with travel restrictions for being the first to spot the omicron variant.
The omicron variant was reported to the WHO for the first time in the African country on November 24, less than a week ago and then received the code name B.1.1.529; at the same time it was identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.
