In a wrenchingly familiar cycle of tracking first cases, pointing fingers and banning travel, nations worldwide reacted Monday to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the piecemeal fashion that has defined&nbsp;and hobbled&nbsp;the pandemic response all along.

As here-we-go-again fear and resignation gripped much of the world, the World Health Organization warned that the risk posed by the heavily mutated variant was “very high.” But operating once again in a vacuum of evidence, governments chose approaches that differed between continents, between neighbouring countries, and even between cities within those countries.

Little is known about omicron beyond its large number of mutations; it will be weeks, at least, before scientists can say with confidence whether it is more contagious&nbsp;early evidence suggests it is&nbsp;whether it causes more serious illness, and how it responds to vaccines.

In China, which had been increasingly alone in sealing itself off as it sought to eradicate the virus, a newspaper controlled by the Communist Party gloated about democracies that are now following suit as Japan, Australia and other countries gave up flirting with a return to normalcy and slammed their borders shut to the world. The West, it said, had hoarded vaccines at the expense of poorer regions, and was now paying a price for its selfishness.

In the United States, federal officials called Monday on vaccinated people to get booster shots. President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans, saying that the new variant is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic” and that his administration is already working with vaccine manufacturers to modify vaccines, should that prove necessary.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-is-cause-for-concern-not-a-cause-for-panic-biden-432876">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron variant is 'cause for concern, not a cause for panic': Biden</a>

“We’re throwing everything we have at this virus, tracking it from every angle,” the president said in an appearance at the White House.

In southern Africa, where scientists first identified omicron amid a largely unvaccinated population, leaders deplored the travel bans as ruinous and counterproductive to tracking the virus, saying they could discourage transparency about outbreaks. African officials also noted that because of the inequity in distribution of vaccines, the continent faces this latest variant with little to no protection.

But with vaccine deliveries to Africa becoming more reliable, some states looked to a vaccine mandate to curb the spread of the coronavirus. On Sunday, Ghana’s government announced that government employees, health care workers and staff and students at most schools must be vaccinated by Jan. 22.

Europe which has acted in unusual concert in barring travel from southern Africa, is speeding up booster shots in the hope that they will work against omicron, and adjusting or reconsidering a hodgepodge of social-distancing measures, even in restriction-resistant countries such as Britain.

“The lack of a consistent and coherent global approach has resulted in a splintered and disjointed response, breeding misunderstanding, misinformation and mistrust,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization director.

The WHO convened a three-day special session to discuss a treaty that would ensure prompt sharing of data and technology and equitable access to vaccines. The European Union has pushed for the agreement to be legally binding, but the United States has balked.

The very proposal underlined that two years into a devastating pandemic that has killed millions, devastated national economies and robbed many of the world’s children of nearly two years of formative experiences, there is still no global plan for getting out of it.

As the largely vaccinated West clings to initial reports that omicron may cause milder illness and may be susceptible to vaccines, entire swaths of Africa remain essentially unvaccinated. Some nations, like South Africa, have sufficient doses but have struggled to distribute them. Others lack the freezers, logistical infrastructure and medical personnel to inoculate their populations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-defends-travel-ban-due-to-new-variant-omicron-says-it-is-necessary-and-justified-432668">Also read |&nbsp;Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified</a>

That has given the virus plenty of time and bodies in which to multiply and mutate.

The travel bans are intended to buy time as scientists determine whether the mutations in the new variant will allow it to dodge existing vaccines. But they also seemed to suggest that core lessons from the early phase of the pandemic must be learned again: An infection discovered somewhere is likely everywhere or may be soon enough&nbsp;and a single case detected means many more undetected.

On Monday, Portugal reported 13 omicron cases, all tied to a single soccer team and Scotland reported six, while the numbers in South Africa continued to soar.

Experts warned that the variant will reach every part of the world, if it hasn’t already.

The leaders of the world’s top powers insisted that they understood this, but their assurances also had a strong whiff of geopolitics.

President Xi Jinping of China offered 1 billion doses of COVID vaccine to Africa, on top of nearly 200 million that Beijing has already shipped to the continent, during an address to a conference in Senegal by video link.

The Global Times, a Chinese tabloid controlled by the Communist Party, boasted of China’s success in thwarting virus transmission, and said the West was now paying the price for its selfish policies. “Western countries control most of the resources needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” it read. “But they have failed to curb the spread of the virus and have exposed more and more developing countries to the virus.”

Biden said the United States had sent more free vaccines abroad than all other countries in the world combined. “Now we need the rest of the world to step up as well,” he said.

European health ministers seemed to agree.

“The identification of the omicron variant in the southern part of Africa confirms the urgency to do more to vaccinate the population of the most fragile countries,” Italy’s health minister, Roberto Speranza, said at a virtual meeting of health ministers representing seven of the world’s wealthiest large democracies.

He called on those countries to help administer vaccines. “It is not enough to donate doses,” Speranza said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">Also read |&nbsp;US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron</a>

Within a few days of seeing evidence of a new variant, South African scientists, who run the continent’s most advanced genomic sequencing labs, had identified it. Last Wednesday, they made their findings public.

After other parts of the world, including the United States and the European Union, responded with travel bans on southern Africa, South African officials protested that their country was being punished for its speed and transparency.

Responses to the coronavirus have been as varied as the nations that are threatened by it.

Israel, the first nation to block travel in response to omicron, granted its intelligence service temporary permission to monitor the phone data of people with confirmed cases of the variant.

In Italy, which has kept infections low with some of the most stringent rules in Europe, the country’s conference of mayors urged the government to impose a national outdoor mask mandate from Dec. 6 until Jan. 15, as crowds gather to shop for and celebrate Christmas.

Even Britain, which has taken a lax approach to mask wearing and other social-distancing measures, has stepped up its response in the face of omicron. The country introduced new mask mandates and new travel restrictions and appeared to soften its opposition to vaccine passports and requiring masks in restaurants. And Britain’s vaccine advisory board announced Monday that it is suggesting an expansion of the country’s booster program.

In Germany, already hard hit by the latest pandemic wave, fear of the omicron variant was palpable.

“It feels different from the first bits of information we got about the delta variant,” said Christian Drosten, a prominent German virus expert, describing himself as “pretty worried.”

On Monday, the German government announced that Angela Merkel, state governors and Olaf Scholz, who is to succeed Merkel as chancellor next week, had moved up a planned meeting about potential lockdown measures by nine days.

“We need to buy time,” said Karl Lauterbach, a member of the parliament and public health expert who is considered a strong candidate to be the new German government’s health minister, said on Twitter. “Nothing is worse than a new variant into an ongoing wave.”

Pauline Londeix, a prominent French advocate for broader access to medicines and transparent drug policies, told France Inter radio Monday that variants would continue to emerge unless richer countries shared more vaccines. “We need a much more systemic approach,” she said.

The European Commission on Monday urged member states not to impose additional travel restrictions on their citizens.

In contrast to Europe’s patchwork of regulations, China has had a more consistent and plainer policy: It is essentially sealed off as it pursues a “zero COVID” strategy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-in-australia-two-passengers-from-south-africa-test-positive-for-new-covid-strain-432478">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron variant in Australia: Two passengers from South Africa test positive for new COVID strain</a>

China has steadfastly kept a high wall against visitors from the rest of the world. Foreign residents and visa holders are allowed in only under limited circumstances, leading to concerns by some within the business world that COVID restrictions were leaving the country increasingly isolated.

Visitors must submit to two-week quarantines upon arrival and face potential limits on their movement after that. Movements are tracked via monitoring smartphone apps, which display color codes that can signal whether a person has traveled from or through an area with recent infections, triggering instructions to remain in one place.

In other parts of Asia, people are less focused on eradicating the virus than just surviving it.

“This news is terrifying,” said Gurinder Singh, 57, in New Delhi, who worried about his shop going under. “If this virus spreads in India, the government will shut the country again, and we will be forced to beg.”

In a wrenchingly familiar cycle of tracking first cases, pointing fingers and banning travel, nations worldwide reacted Monday to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the piecemeal fashion that has defined and hobbled the pandemic response all along.

In a wrenchingly familiar cycle of tracking first cases, pointing fingers and banning travel, nations worldwide reacted Monday to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the piecemeal fashion that has defined and hobbled the pandemic response all along. As here-we-go-again fear and resignation gripped much of the world, the World Health Organization warned that the risk posed by the heavily mutated variant was “very high.” But operating once again in a vacuum of evidence, governments chose approaches that differed between continents, between neighbouring countries, and even between cities within those countries. Little is known about omicron beyond its large number of mutations; it will be weeks, at least, before scientists can say with confidence whether it is more contagious early evidence suggests it is whether it causes more serious illness, and how it responds to vaccines. In China, which had been increasingly alone in sealing itself off as it sought to eradicate the virus, a newspaper controlled by the Communist Party gloated about democracies that are now following suit as Japan, Australia and other countries gave up flirting with a return to normalcy and slammed their borders shut to the world. The West, it said, had hoarded vaccines at the expense of poorer regions, and was now paying a price for its selfishness. In the United States, federal officials called Monday on vaccinated people to get booster shots. President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans, saying that the new variant is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic” and that his administration is already working with vaccine manufacturers to modify vaccines, should that prove necessary. Also read | Omicron variant is 'cause for concern, not a cause for panic': Biden “We’re throwing everything we have at this virus, tracking it from every angle,” the president said in an appearance at the White House. In southern Africa, where scientists first identified omicron amid a largely unvaccinated population, leaders deplored the travel bans as ruinous and counterproductive to tracking the virus, saying they could discourage transparency about outbreaks. African officials also noted that because of the inequity in distribution of vaccines, the continent faces this latest variant with little to no protection. But with vaccine deliveries to Africa becoming more reliable, some states looked to a vaccine mandate to curb the spread of the coronavirus. On Sunday, Ghana’s government announced that government employees, health care workers and staff and students at most schools must be vaccinated by Jan. 22. Europe which has acted in unusual concert in barring travel from southern Africa, is speeding up booster shots in the hope that they will work against omicron, and adjusting or reconsidering a hodgepodge of social-distancing measures, even in restriction-resistant countries such as Britain. “The lack of a consistent and coherent global approach has resulted in a splintered and disjointed response, breeding misunderstanding, misinformation and mistrust,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization director. The WHO convened a three-day special session to discuss a treaty that would ensure prompt sharing of data and technology and equitable access to vaccines. The European Union has pushed for the agreement to be legally binding, but the United States has balked. The very proposal underlined that two years into a devastating pandemic that has killed millions, devastated national economies and robbed many of the world’s children of nearly two years of formative experiences, there is still no global plan for getting out of it. As the largely vaccinated West clings to initial reports that omicron may cause milder illness and may be susceptible to vaccines, entire swaths of Africa remain essentially unvaccinated. Some nations, like South Africa, have sufficient doses but have struggled to distribute them. Others lack the freezers, logistical infrastructure and medical personnel to inoculate their populations. Also read | Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified That has given the virus plenty of time and bodies in which to multiply and mutate. The travel bans are intended to buy time as scientists determine whether the mutations in the new variant will allow it to dodge existing vaccines. But they also seemed to suggest that core lessons from the early phase of the pandemic must be learned again: An infection discovered somewhere is likely everywhere or may be soon enough and a single case detected means many more undetected. On Monday, Portugal reported 13 omicron cases, all tied to a single soccer team and Scotland reported six, while the numbers in South Africa continued to soar. Experts warned that the variant will reach every part of the world, if it hasn’t already. The leaders of the world’s top powers insisted that they understood this, but their assurances also had a strong whiff of geopolitics. President Xi Jinping of China offered 1 billion doses of COVID vaccine to Africa, on top of nearly 200 million that Beijing has already shipped to the continent, during an address to a conference in Senegal by video link. The Global Times, a Chinese tabloid controlled by the Communist Party, boasted of China’s success in thwarting virus transmission, and said the West was now paying the price for its selfish policies. “Western countries control most of the resources needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” it read. “But they have failed to curb the spread of the virus and have exposed more and more developing countries to the virus.” Biden said the United States had sent more free vaccines abroad than all other countries in the world combined. “Now we need the rest of the world to step up as well,” he said. European health ministers seemed to agree. “The identification of the omicron variant in the southern part of Africa confirms the urgency to do more to vaccinate the population of the most fragile countries,” Italy’s health minister, Roberto Speranza, said at a virtual meeting of health ministers representing seven of the world’s wealthiest large democracies. He called on those countries to help administer vaccines. “It is not enough to donate doses,” Speranza said. Also read | US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron Within a few days of seeing evidence of a new variant, South African scientists, who run the continent’s most advanced genomic sequencing labs, had identified it. Last Wednesday, they made their findings public. After other parts of the world, including the United States and the European Union, responded with travel bans on southern Africa, South African officials protested that their country was being punished for its speed and transparency. Responses to the coronavirus have been as varied as the nations that are threatened by it. Israel, the first nation to block travel in response to omicron, granted its intelligence service temporary permission to monitor the phone data of people with confirmed cases of the variant. In Italy, which has kept infections low with some of the most stringent rules in Europe, the country’s conference of mayors urged the government to impose a national outdoor mask mandate from Dec. 6 until Jan. 15, as crowds gather to shop for and celebrate Christmas. Even Britain, which has taken a lax approach to mask wearing and other social-distancing measures, has stepped up its response in the face of omicron. The country introduced new mask mandates and new travel restrictions and appeared to soften its opposition to vaccine passports and requiring masks in restaurants. And Britain’s vaccine advisory board announced Monday that it is suggesting an expansion of the country’s booster program. In Germany, already hard hit by the latest pandemic wave, fear of the omicron variant was palpable. “It feels different from the first bits of information we got about the delta variant,” said Christian Drosten, a prominent German virus expert, describing himself as “pretty worried.” On Monday, the German government announced that Angela Merkel, state governors and Olaf Scholz, who is to succeed Merkel as chancellor next week, had moved up a planned meeting about potential lockdown measures by nine days. “We need to buy time,” said Karl Lauterbach, a member of the parliament and public health expert who is considered a strong candidate to be the new German government’s health minister, said on Twitter. “Nothing is worse than a new variant into an ongoing wave.” Pauline Londeix, a prominent French advocate for broader access to medicines and transparent drug policies, told France Inter radio Monday that variants would continue to emerge unless richer countries shared more vaccines. “We need a much more systemic approach,” she said. The European Commission on Monday urged member states not to impose additional travel restrictions on their citizens. In contrast to Europe’s patchwork of regulations, China has had a more consistent and plainer policy: It is essentially sealed off as it pursues a “zero COVID” strategy. Also read | Omicron variant in Australia: Two passengers from South Africa test positive for new COVID strain China has steadfastly kept a high wall against visitors from the rest of the world. Foreign residents and visa holders are allowed in only under limited circumstances, leading to concerns by some within the business world that COVID restrictions were leaving the country increasingly isolated. Visitors must submit to two-week quarantines upon arrival and face potential limits on their movement after that. Movements are tracked via monitoring smartphone apps, which display color codes that can signal whether a person has traveled from or through an area with recent infections, triggering instructions to remain in one place. In other parts of Asia, people are less focused on eradicating the virus than just surviving it. “This news is terrifying,” said Gurinder Singh, 57, in New Delhi, who worried about his shop going under. “If this virus spreads in India, the government will shut the country again, and we will be forced to beg.”

Fragmented reactions hinder global fight against Omicron variant

With the phase of the new covid-19 variant rising with every passing day, the EU is in a better shape to face economic impact, overall it is going to be better handled.

Amid fears of new covid-19 variant, 'EU in better shape to face new covid wave'

Over 2,000 people took to the streets of the Czech capital Prague, protesting against the new coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government. Europe once again has become the epicentre of the deadly virus. As the government is imposing new restrictions to battle the virus, many regions in the continent are seeing regular protests.

Protestors in Prague, most of them not wearing a face mask, called on the government to lift bans&nbsp;gatherings, cancel limited hours for bars and allow unvaccinated people to participate in events.

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In the capital of the Czech Republic, they protest against mandatory vaccination and restrictions due to coronavirus 
In the Czech Republic, 64.5% of the population is fully vaccinated. <a href="https://t.co/saGoRQnI9q">pic.twitter.com/saGoRQnI9q</a>
— Supergran6 (@Supergranagain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Supergranagain/status/1464600511483719683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This comes after the government had imposed a 30-day state of emergency, under which a ban was imposed on Christmas markets across the country.&nbsp;

Police took action after some protestors got out of control. The protesters waved national flags and carried signs with slogans that read: "Get vaccinated? Over your dead bodies".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europeans-protest-against-partial-lockdown-in-several-countries-7-people-injured-in-rotterdam-430724">Also read |&nbsp;Europeans protest against partial lockdown in several countries; 7 people injured in Rotterdam</a>

Czech hospitals have limited operations in the past few days as the number of patients with coronavirus has doubled.

As of now, only 58.5 per cent of Czechs are vaccinated against coronavirus. Earlier, Prime Minister Petr Fiala urged people to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the virus.

Not just Prague, but people in Austria have also been angered after the landlocked country made vaccines mandatory and introduced a full lockdown.

Restrictions have also been imposed for the unvaccinated people in Germany. People have been banned from restaurants.

Europe continues to record a wave of Covid-19 cases with countries struggling to battle the deadly coronavirus.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Over 2,000 people took to the streets of the Czech capital Prague, protesting against the new coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government. Europe once again has become the epicentre of the deadly virus.

Over 2,000 people took to the streets of the Czech capital Prague, protesting against the new coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government. Europe once again has become the epicentre of the deadly virus. As the government is imposing new restrictions to battle the virus, many regions in the continent are seeing regular protests. Protestors in Prague, most of them not wearing a face mask, called on the government to lift bans gatherings, cancel limited hours for bars and allow unvaccinated people to participate in events. In the capital of the Czech Republic, they protest against mandatory vaccination and restrictions due to coronavirus In the Czech Republic, 64.5% of the population is fully vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/saGoRQnI9q — Supergran6 (@Supergranagain) November 27, 2021 × This comes after the government had imposed a 30-day state of emergency, under which a ban was imposed on Christmas markets across the country. Police took action after some protestors got out of control. The protesters waved national flags and carried signs with slogans that read: "Get vaccinated? Over your dead bodies". Also read | Europeans protest against partial lockdown in several countries; 7 people injured in Rotterdam Czech hospitals have limited operations in the past few days as the number of patients with coronavirus has doubled. As of now, only 58.5 per cent of Czechs are vaccinated against coronavirus. Earlier, Prime Minister Petr Fiala urged people to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the virus. Not just Prague, but people in Austria have also been angered after the landlocked country made vaccines mandatory and introduced a full lockdown. Restrictions have also been imposed for the unvaccinated people in Germany. People have been banned from restaurants. Europe continues to record a wave of Covid-19 cases with countries struggling to battle the deadly coronavirus. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 2,000 people protest in Prague after government declares state of emergency

Omicron variant of coronavirus has governments across the world on alert. The variant, which was first found in South Africa has now spread to many other countries and nations all over the world are releasing guidelines or restricting air travel to try and ensure that the virus doesn't cross their borders.

India's health ministry on Sunday revised guidelines for international arrivals in India.

From December 1, passengers will have to submit the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha Portal before the scheduled travel. They will have to submit details of journeys made in last 14 days.

It will also be mandatory to upload negative RT-PCR test reports on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey.&nbsp;

Health ministry has said that travellers from `countries at-risk` will need to take the COVID-19 test post-arrival and wait for results at the airport.If tested negative they will follow, home quarantine for seven days.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-man-returning-from-south-africa-tests-positive-in-maharashtra-strain-not-confirmed-432726">Indian man returning from South Africa tests positive in Maharashtra; strain not confirmed</a>

They will have to take a re-test on eight-day and if negative, further self-monitor for the next seven days. A sub-section (5 percent of the total flight passengers) shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on the arrival.&nbsp;

These are the countries-at-risk as per Indian health ministry

<ul>
	<li>United Kingdom</li>
	<li>South Africa</li>
	<li>Brazil</li>
	<li>Bangladesh</li>
	<li>Botswana</li>
	<li>China</li>
	<li>Mauritius</li>
	<li>New Zealand</li>
	<li>Zimbabwe</li>
	<li>Singapore</li>
	<li>Hong Kong</li>
	<li>Israel</li>
</ul>

The health ministry has revised the existing guidelines with a view to tackle the Omicron variant. The variant has already been described as a 'variant of concern' by World Health Organisation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Omicron variant of coronavirus has governments across the world on alert. The variant, which was first found in South Africa has now spread to many other countries and nations all over the world are releasing guidelines or restricting air travel to try and ensure that the virus doesn't cross their borders.

Omicron variant of coronavirus has governments across the world on alert. The variant, which was first found in South Africa has now spread to many other countries and nations all over the world are releasing guidelines or restricting air travel to try and ensure that the virus doesn't cross their borders. India's health ministry on Sunday revised guidelines for international arrivals in India. From December 1, passengers will have to submit the self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha Portal before the scheduled travel. They will have to submit details of journeys made in last 14 days. It will also be mandatory to upload negative RT-PCR test reports on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey. Health ministry has said that travellers from `countries at-risk` will need to take the COVID-19 test post-arrival and wait for results at the airport.If tested negative they will follow, home quarantine for seven days. Also Read | Indian man returning from South Africa tests positive in Maharashtra; strain not confirmed They will have to take a re-test on eight-day and if negative, further self-monitor for the next seven days. A sub-section (5 percent of the total flight passengers) shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on the arrival. These are the countries-at-risk as per Indian health ministry United Kingdom South Africa Brazil Bangladesh Botswana China Mauritius New Zealand Zimbabwe Singapore Hong Kong Israel The health ministry has revised the existing guidelines with a view to tackle the Omicron variant. The variant has already been described as a 'variant of concern' by World Health Organisation. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron threat: Here is 'countries-at-risk' list released by India

The World Health Organization on Monday warned that the newly discovered Covid-19 Omicron variant poses a "very high" risk globally. "If another major surge of Covid-19 takes place driven by Omicron, consequences may be severe," WHO said.

The World Health Organization on Monday warned that the newly discovered Covid-19 Omicron variant poses a "very high" risk globally. "If another major surge of Covid-19 takes place driven by Omicron, consequences may be severe," WHO said. It further added, "to date, no deaths linked to Omicron variant have been reported." While the world was already struggling to battle against the deadly coronavirus, the Omicron variant has added on to the misery. WHO has designated it as a "variant of concern". According to the UN health body, a variant of concern demonstrates an "increase in transmissibility" or "detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology". Also read | Those who had COVID-19 may be reinfected more easily with Omicron: WHO The WHO had earlier classified Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta as variants of concern. Global authorities reacted with panic to the new variant detected in South Africa, with several imposing travel curbs and tightening border controls. Early research on the Omicron variation shows that there may be an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, meaning that those who have previously been infected with the deadly coronavirus may be more readily reinfected, although data is limited. Vaccines, notably those against the major circulating form, Delta, are crucial in decreasing severe illness and mortality, according to the WHO. Also, WHO is collaborating with technical partners to determine the impact of this variation on current countermeasures, such as vaccinations. (With inputs from agencies)

Risk related to Omicron Covid variant is 'very high' globally, warns WHO

A man who returned from South Africa to Dombivali in Thane district of Maharashtra recently has tested positive for coronavirus, a Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) official said on Sunday.

It is not confirmed whether the patient was carrying the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which was identified as the variant of concern by the WHO, the official said.

The man had travelled from Cape Town to Dombivali on November 24.

"He underwent a COVID-19 test which returned positive," the official added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-new-variant-spreads-rapidly-india-revises-guidelines-for-international-travellers-432700">Also read |&nbsp;As new variant spreads rapidly, India revises guidelines for international travellers</a>

The man didn't come in contact with anyone after returning from South Africa, Dr Pratiba Panpatil, Medical Officer, KDMC, told reporters.

The patient is currently admitted at the Art Gallery isolation centre of the KDMC, the official said.

"The KDMC health department is on alert. We are prepared to deal with the new variant," Dr Panpail added.

A man who returned from South Africa to Dombivali in Thane district of Maharashtra recently has tested positive for coronavirus, a Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) official said on Sunday.

A man who returned from South Africa to Dombivali in Thane district of Maharashtra recently has tested positive for coronavirus, a Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) official said on Sunday. It is not confirmed whether the patient was carrying the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which was identified as the variant of concern by the WHO, the official said. The man had travelled from Cape Town to Dombivali on November 24. "He underwent a COVID-19 test which returned positive," the official added. Also read | As new variant spreads rapidly, India revises guidelines for international travellers The man didn't come in contact with anyone after returning from South Africa, Dr Pratiba Panpatil, Medical Officer, KDMC, told reporters. The patient is currently admitted at the Art Gallery isolation centre of the KDMC, the official said. "The KDMC health department is on alert. We are prepared to deal with the new variant," Dr Panpail added.

Indian man returning from South Africa tests positive in Maharashtra; strain not confirmed

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that the US might have to go through a fifth wave. He also warned of increased transmissibility in the new variant.

While speaking at the CBS show "Face the Nation," he said, "We certainly have the potential to go into a fifth wave. And the fifth wave, or the magnitude of any increase, if you want to call it that it will turn into a wave, will really be dependent upon what we do in the next few weeks to a couple of months."

With this, he urged Americans to get vaccinated.&nbsp;

As a "precautionary measure," the US &nbsp;has restricted travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries, including, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-defends-travel-ban-due-to-new-variant-omicron-says-it-is-necessary-and-justified-432668">Also read |&nbsp;Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified</a>

US President Joe Biden said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.”

Fauci defended the travel restrictions as he said that they were necessary and justified. While speaking on ABC's “This Week," he further said that the restrictions “will slow things down” and help the US be “better prepared” for it.

He acknowledged that there is "no way" that travel bans could prevent the spread of new variants.&nbsp;

“But what you can do is you can delay it enough to get us better prepared. And that's the thing that people need to understand. If you're going to do the travel ban the way we've done now and that we're implementing right now, utilise the time that you're buying to fill in the gaps,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that the US might have to go through a fifth wave.

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that the US might have to go through a fifth wave. He also warned of increased transmissibility in the new variant. While speaking at the CBS show "Face the Nation," he said, "We certainly have the potential to go into a fifth wave. And the fifth wave, or the magnitude of any increase, if you want to call it that it will turn into a wave, will really be dependent upon what we do in the next few weeks to a couple of months." With this, he urged Americans to get vaccinated. As a "precautionary measure," the US has restricted travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries, including, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. Also read | Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified US President Joe Biden said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.” Fauci defended the travel restrictions as he said that they were necessary and justified. While speaking on ABC's “This Week," he further said that the restrictions “will slow things down” and help the US be “better prepared” for it. He acknowledged that there is "no way" that travel bans could prevent the spread of new variants. “But what you can do is you can delay it enough to get us better prepared. And that's the thing that people need to understand. If you're going to do the travel ban the way we've done now and that we're implementing right now, utilise the time that you're buying to fill in the gaps,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Fauci warns US might have to face a fifth wave as he urges people to get jabbed

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday issued new guidelines for international travellers arriving in India.

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday issued new guidelines for international travellers arriving in India. These will come into effect starting from December 1. The new guidelines mandate submitting travel details of 14 days. Also, the travellers will be required to upload their negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. Along with the report, every international traveller needs to fill a self-declaration form. #Unite2FightCorona 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 ➡️ India issues Revised Guidelines for International Travelers in view of reported cases of new SARS-CoV-2 variant (#Omicron) across the world.https://t.co/kuIjXN6qMD pic.twitter.com/U92IOgMX23 — Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) November 29, 2021 × People arriving from "at-risk" nations need to provide samples of RT-PCR testing and those who test positive will have to quarantine. Those who have been infected with the new Covid strain will need to follow stricter isolation rules. The "at-risk" countries are - several countries in Europe including The United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel. Even if people from this category test negative, a 7-day home quarantine is mandatory. Also read | Those who had COVID-19 may be reinfected more easily with Omicron: WHO For people arriving from the no-risk areas, there will be random sampling for RT-PCR tests. If tested positive, the sample will be further sent for genome sequencing. Those who test negative will be advised to monitor themselves for at least two weeks. The announcement comes after a meeting was held with various experts including Dr VK Paul, member of NITI Aayog, Dr Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and senior officers from Health, Civil Aviation and other ministries. As the new virus variant B.1.1.529 gripped the world on Friday, the World Health Organisation moved to name it Omicron and designated it as a "variant of concern". The new variant has created panic as countries have banned flights from South Africa where it was first discovered including other African countries. Apart from South Africa, the new variant was also discovered in Botswana, Israel and Hong Kong. As of now, it. has spread to 15 different countries worldwide.

As new variant spreads rapidly, India revises guidelines for international travellers

Two international travellers arriving in Sydney were contaminated with the developing Omicron strain, according to urgent genetic testing.&nbsp;

"Both passengers came to Sydney from South Africa on the evening of Saturday, November 27. They underwent testing on arrival and tested positive for COVID-19 late last night.The two positive cases, who were asymptomatic, are in isolation in the special health accommodation. Both people are fully vaccinated, " NSW Health said in a statement issued on Sunday evening. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-on-alert-as-new-covid-19-variant-omicron-spreads-to-more-countries-432459">Also read | World on alert as new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' spreads to more countries</a>

The two passengers were among 14 travellers from southern Africa who boarded Qatar Airways flight QR908 from Doha at 7 p.m. on Saturday. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-becomes-the-first-country-to-shut-all-borders-over-fear-of-new-variant-432450">Also read | Israel becomes the first country to shut all borders over fear of new variant</a>

The remaining 12 guests would be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days.

Approximately 260 passengers and crew members were identified as close contacts and have been ordered to be isolated. 
 
Watch: EU, US restrict travel from South Africa to contain new coronavirus variant

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NSW Health advised that failing to follow public health regulations was a crime, and that close connections would be contacted on a regular basis and subject to compliance inspections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Two international travellers arriving in Sydney were contaminated with the developing Omicron strain, according to urgent genetic testing. "Both passengers came to Sydney from South Africa on the evening of Saturday, November 27.

Two international travellers arriving in Sydney were contaminated with the developing Omicron strain, according to urgent genetic testing. "Both passengers came to Sydney from South Africa on the evening of Saturday, November 27. They underwent testing on arrival and tested positive for COVID-19 late last night.The two positive cases, who were asymptomatic, are in isolation in the special health accommodation. Both people are fully vaccinated, " NSW Health said in a statement issued on Sunday evening. Also read | World on alert as new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' spreads to more countries The two passengers were among 14 travellers from southern Africa who boarded Qatar Airways flight QR908 from Doha at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Also read | Israel becomes the first country to shut all borders over fear of new variant The remaining 12 guests would be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days. Approximately 260 passengers and crew members were identified as close contacts and have been ordered to be isolated. Watch: EU, US restrict travel from South Africa to contain new coronavirus variant NSW Health advised that failing to follow public health regulations was a crime, and that close connections would be contacted on a regular basis and subject to compliance inspections. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron variant in Australia: Two passengers from South Africa test positive for new COVID strain

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, said that the world was in "race against time", to understand the new Covid variant. She hinted that if situation required, vaccines would need to be modified to counter the threat of Omicron variant.

"We know we are now in a race against time," von der Leyen said. She was on a visit to Riga, Latvia. She called for the public to take precautions in order to give scientists time to understand the new variant.

"The scientists and manufacturers need two to three weeks to have a full picture about the quality of the mutations of this Omicron variant," she said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-is-causing-mild-disease-says-south-african-medical-association-432552">Omicron variant is causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association&nbsp;</a>

"We need to buy time," she added, urging people to vaccinate, wear masks and practise social distancing.

She said that a contract struck in the summer by the European Commission with BioNTech-Pfizer for 1.8 billion vaccine doses included a clause in case of an "escape variant" -- a strain that can evade vaccine immunity.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron</a>

A clause in the contract states "that if a variant turns into an escape variant... BioNTech-Pfizer is able to adapt its vaccine within 100 days," she said.

The new, heavily mutated Covid-19 variant has spread across the globe, shutting borders, renewing curbs and sparking fears for the fight against the nearly two-year-old coronavirus pandemic.

(With inputs from agencies)

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, said that the world was in "race against time", to understand the new Covid variant. She hinted that if situation required, vaccines would need to be modified to counter the threat of Omicron variant.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, said that the world was in "race against time", to understand the new Covid variant. She hinted that if situation required, vaccines would need to be modified to counter the threat of Omicron variant. "We know we are now in a race against time," von der Leyen said. She was on a visit to Riga, Latvia. She called for the public to take precautions in order to give scientists time to understand the new variant. "The scientists and manufacturers need two to three weeks to have a full picture about the quality of the mutations of this Omicron variant," she said. Also Read | Omicron variant is causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association "We need to buy time," she added, urging people to vaccinate, wear masks and practise social distancing. She said that a contract struck in the summer by the European Commission with BioNTech-Pfizer for 1.8 billion vaccine doses included a clause in case of an "escape variant" -- a strain that can evade vaccine immunity. Also Read | US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron A clause in the contract states "that if a variant turns into an escape variant... BioNTech-Pfizer is able to adapt its vaccine within 100 days," she said. The new, heavily mutated Covid-19 variant has spread across the globe, shutting borders, renewing curbs and sparking fears for the fight against the nearly two-year-old coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

World in 'race against time' to tackle Omicron Covid variant, says EU chief

South Africa claims it is being penalised rather than praised for finding Omicron, a potentially dangerous new variant of COVID-19.

As facts about the spread surfaced, governments throughout the world banned travel from southern Africa, prompting the foreign ministry to issue the announcement.

According to preliminary findings, Omicron appears to have a higher risk of re-infection than other virus&nbsp;classes.

South Africa is home to some of the world's best epidemiologists and scientists, who have been successful in detecting new coronavirus variations and mutations early in their life cycles. 
 
Watch: EU, US restrict travel from South Africa to contain new coronavirus variant

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South Africa was the first place where the Omicron variant was discovered, and it has subsequently been found in Belgium, Botswana, Israel, and Hong Kong.&nbsp;

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement urged world leaders not to implement "knee-jerk" policy decisions in response to the detection of the Omicron variant.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The latest round of travel bans is "akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished," it said.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-what-does-variant-of-concern-mean-432361">Also Read:&nbsp;Omicron: What does variant of concern mean?</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

DIRCO pointed out that new variants had been detected in other countries as well and "each of those cases had no recent links with Southern Africa".

However, "the reaction to those countries is starkly different to cases in Southern Africa," it said.

Along with South Africa, travel restrictions have been imposed on Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, and Angola, damaging their economies, which are heavily reliant on tourism.&nbsp;

According to the WHO, Omicron is "variant of concern." 
 
Countries all over the world are scrambling to impose travel bans and restrictions on southern African countries in order to stem the spread of Omicron. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-take-weeks-to-understand-new-virus-variant-says-who-432124">Will take weeks to understand new virus variant, says WHO</a>

Travel to and from South Africa, as well as the neighbouring nations of Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, as well as Lesotho and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), which are all landlocked inside South Africa, has been outlawed.

Mauritius, Israel, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands are among the other nations. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-threat-heres-what-we-know-about-covid-b11529-or-nu-variant-likely-deadlier-than-delta-432075">New threat? Here's what we know about Covid B.1.1.529 or Nu variant, likely deadlier than Delta</a>

Many other nations followed suit, with the majority stating that only their own residents would be permitted to return after a period of quarantine.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

South Africa claims it is being penalised rather than praised for finding Omicron, a potentially dangerous new variant of COVID-19. As facts about the spread surfaced, governments throughout the world banned travel from southern Africa, prompting the foreign ministry to issue the announcement.

South Africa claims it is being penalised rather than praised for finding Omicron, a potentially dangerous new variant of COVID-19. As facts about the spread surfaced, governments throughout the world banned travel from southern Africa, prompting the foreign ministry to issue the announcement. According to preliminary findings, Omicron appears to have a higher risk of re-infection than other virus classes. South Africa is home to some of the world's best epidemiologists and scientists, who have been successful in detecting new coronavirus variations and mutations early in their life cycles. Watch: EU, US restrict travel from South Africa to contain new coronavirus variant South Africa was the first place where the Omicron variant was discovered, and it has subsequently been found in Belgium, Botswana, Israel, and Hong Kong. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement urged world leaders not to implement "knee-jerk" policy decisions in response to the detection of the Omicron variant. The latest round of travel bans is "akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished," it said. Also Read: Omicron: What does variant of concern mean? DIRCO pointed out that new variants had been detected in other countries as well and "each of those cases had no recent links with Southern Africa". However, "the reaction to those countries is starkly different to cases in Southern Africa," it said. Along with South Africa, travel restrictions have been imposed on Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, and Angola, damaging their economies, which are heavily reliant on tourism. According to the WHO, Omicron is "variant of concern." Countries all over the world are scrambling to impose travel bans and restrictions on southern African countries in order to stem the spread of Omicron. Also read | Will take weeks to understand new virus variant, says WHO Travel to and from South Africa, as well as the neighbouring nations of Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, as well as Lesotho and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), which are all landlocked inside South Africa, has been outlawed. Mauritius, Israel, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands are among the other nations. Also read | New threat? Here's what we know about Covid B.1.1.529 or Nu variant, likely deadlier than Delta Many other nations followed suit, with the majority stating that only their own residents would be permitted to return after a period of quarantine. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron: South Africa says it's being 'punished' for detecting new COVID-19 variant

Just days after being discovered in South Africa, the new possibly more infectious omicron strain of the coronavirus has appeared in additional European nations, sending governments around the world rushing to stem the spread.

Following the discovery of two instances, the UK strengthened its requirements on wearing masks and testing overseas visitors on Saturday. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-becomes-the-first-country-to-shut-all-borders-over-fear-of-new-variant-432450">Also read | Israel becomes the first country to shut all borders over fear of new variant</a>

New instances were reported on Saturday in Germany and Italy, with the variation also being detected in travellers in Belgium, Israel, and Hong Kong.

In the United States, Dr&nbsp;Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease specialist, said he wouldn't be shocked if the omicron version was also present.&nbsp; 
 
Watch: EU, US restrict travel from South Africa to contain new coronavirus variant

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"We have not detected it yet, but when you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility and you are already having travel-related cases that they have noted in Israel and Belgium, and other places; when you have a virus like this, it almost invariably is ultimately going to go essentially all over..." Fauci said.&nbsp;

The Chairperson of the World Medical Association's Council, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, voiced alarm earlier in the day that the new coronavirus strain might be as severe as the Ebola virus and as contagious as the Delta coronavirus variation, according to Sputnik.

The new South African strain has been designated as a source of concern by the WHO because it has a high number of mutations (32), potentially making it more transmissible and deadly.

The WHO has given it the name Omicron, which is the Greek alphabet's 15th letter.

Following news of the new variety, the US, the EU, Canada, Israel, Australia, and other countries have imposed travel restrictions on many southern African countries due to health concerns.&nbsp;

In an extraordinary conference, EU officials resolved to encourage all 27 EU countries to limit travel from southern Africa.

A large number of members had previously done so.

Due to the new variation, the World Trade Organization cancelled a ministerial session, its largest in four years, at the last minute on Friday.

Vaccine makers have expressed optimism that they will be able to alter existing vaccinations to target the Omicron strain.

BioNTech of Germany and Pfizer of the United States said they expect results "within two weeks at the most" to see if their vaccine can be tweaked.

Moderna stated that it will create a booster for the new version.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Just days after being discovered in South Africa, the new possibly more infectious omicron strain of the coronavirus has appeared in additional European nations, sending governments around the world rushing to stem the spread.

Just days after being discovered in South Africa, the new possibly more infectious omicron strain of the coronavirus has appeared in additional European nations, sending governments around the world rushing to stem the spread. Following the discovery of two instances, the UK strengthened its requirements on wearing masks and testing overseas visitors on Saturday. Also read | Israel becomes the first country to shut all borders over fear of new variant New instances were reported on Saturday in Germany and Italy, with the variation also being detected in travellers in Belgium, Israel, and Hong Kong. In the United States, Dr Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease specialist, said he wouldn't be shocked if the omicron version was also present. Watch: EU, US restrict travel from South Africa to contain new coronavirus variant "We have not detected it yet, but when you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility and you are already having travel-related cases that they have noted in Israel and Belgium, and other places; when you have a virus like this, it almost invariably is ultimately going to go essentially all over..." Fauci said. The Chairperson of the World Medical Association's Council, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, voiced alarm earlier in the day that the new coronavirus strain might be as severe as the Ebola virus and as contagious as the Delta coronavirus variation, according to Sputnik. The new South African strain has been designated as a source of concern by the WHO because it has a high number of mutations (32), potentially making it more transmissible and deadly. The WHO has given it the name Omicron, which is the Greek alphabet's 15th letter. Following news of the new variety, the US, the EU, Canada, Israel, Australia, and other countries have imposed travel restrictions on many southern African countries due to health concerns. In an extraordinary conference, EU officials resolved to encourage all 27 EU countries to limit travel from southern Africa. A large number of members had previously done so. Due to the new variation, the World Trade Organization cancelled a ministerial session, its largest in four years, at the last minute on Friday. Vaccine makers have expressed optimism that they will be able to alter existing vaccinations to target the Omicron strain. BioNTech of Germany and Pfizer of the United States said they expect results "within two weeks at the most" to see if their vaccine can be tweaked. Moderna stated that it will create a booster for the new version. (With inputs from agencies)

World on alert as new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' spreads to more countries

Global authorities are taking precautions for curbing the spread of a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, detected in South Africa. Many countries have imposed a travel ban on South Africa and other Southern African countries.

Being the first country to shut all its borders, Israel has said that it would ban the entry of all foreigners into the country. It further mentioned that the nation will be using counter-terrorism phone-tracking technology to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.

"Our working hypotheses are that the variant is already in nearly every country," Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said. He further added, "and that the vaccine is effective, although we don't yet know to what degree."

In a statement, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the ban, pending government approval, would last 14 days.&nbsp; 
Officials have been hoping that within the same period there will be more information on how effective the vaccines are against Omicron.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-a-precautionary-measure-us-to-restrict-travel-over-fears-of-new-covid-19-variant-432251">Also read As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant&nbsp;</a>

Israel, as of now, has reported one case of the new Covid-19 variant. The health ministry said, "The variant discovered in southern African states has been identified in Israel." &nbsp;

It was recorded "in a person who returned from Malawi," with "two more cases of people returning from abroad" having been placed in quarantine.

The WHO has designated Omicron as a "variant of concern". The WHO has clearly defined what a variant of concern (VOC) means. According to the UN health body, a variant of concern demonstrates an "increase in transmissibility" or "detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology".&nbsp;

The new COVID-19 variant dubbed Omicron has created panic as countries have banned flights from South Africa.

Apart from South Africa and Israel, the new variant was also discovered in Botswana and Hong Kong. Europe also recorded the first case of the new Omicron variant in Belgium after a traveller from Egypt was detected with the new strain. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Global authorities are taking precautions for curbing the spread of a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, detected in South Africa. Many countries have imposed a travel ban on South Africa and other Southern African countries.

Global authorities are taking precautions for curbing the spread of a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, detected in South Africa. Many countries have imposed a travel ban on South Africa and other Southern African countries. Being the first country to shut all its borders, Israel has said that it would ban the entry of all foreigners into the country. It further mentioned that the nation will be using counter-terrorism phone-tracking technology to contain the spread of the Omicron variant. "Our working hypotheses are that the variant is already in nearly every country," Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said. He further added, "and that the vaccine is effective, although we don't yet know to what degree." In a statement, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the ban, pending government approval, would last 14 days. Officials have been hoping that within the same period there will be more information on how effective the vaccines are against Omicron. Also read As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant Israel, as of now, has reported one case of the new Covid-19 variant. The health ministry said, "The variant discovered in southern African states has been identified in Israel." It was recorded "in a person who returned from Malawi," with "two more cases of people returning from abroad" having been placed in quarantine. The WHO has designated Omicron as a "variant of concern". The WHO has clearly defined what a variant of concern (VOC) means. According to the UN health body, a variant of concern demonstrates an "increase in transmissibility" or "detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology". The new COVID-19 variant dubbed Omicron has created panic as countries have banned flights from South Africa. Apart from South Africa and Israel, the new variant was also discovered in Botswana and Hong Kong. Europe also recorded the first case of the new Omicron variant in Belgium after a traveller from Egypt was detected with the new strain. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel becomes the first country to shut all borders over fear of new variant

South African Medical Association (SAMA) said that the new Omicron variant of coronavirus resulted in mild disease without prominent syndromes and slammed the hype around it as several countries imposed bans on flight from African countries.

"Yes, it is transmissible, but for now, as medical practitioners, we do not know why so much hype is being driven as we are still looking into it,"&nbsp;Angelique Coetzee, the chairwoman of SAMA was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency.

"We will only know after two to three weeks as there are some patients admitted and these are young people aged 40 and younger," Coetzee added. 
 
She criticised the decision by some countries to ban flights from South Africa as premature as there is not enough information on how dangerous it is.

World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday identified the new strain of coronavirus as Omicron. The WHO said that the new strain was 'a variant of concern.' The new strain was detected in South Africa. The virus has been seen to show more mutations - over 30 - than previous variants and is feared to be more dangerous.

"It presents mild disease with symptoms being sore muscles and tiredness for a day or two not feeling well. So far, we have detected that those infected do not suffer loss of taste or smell. They might have a slight cough. There are no prominent symptoms. Of those infected some are currently being treated at home," Coetzee said.

South Africa on Sunday said that it was being punished for reporting the virus.

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South Africa has some of the best virology facilities in the world. 
Graeme Codrington said this months ago when a previous variant was identified by South African virologists. A note to journalists who peddle myths on South African variants. These words still hold true.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Omicron?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Omicron</a> <a href="https://t.co/KtYzlleX2r">pic.twitter.com/KtYzlleX2r</a>
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesMelville/status/1464615233964716040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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As facts about the spread surfaced, governments throughout the world banned travel from southern Africa, prompting the foreign ministry to issue the announcement.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron</a>

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement urged world leaders not to implement "knee-jerk" policy decisions in response to the detection of the Omicron variant. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The latest round of travel bans is "akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished," it said.&nbsp;

Just hours after such a reaction, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">praise for South Africa came from the US</a>.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised South Africa for quickly identifying the virus and presenting the details to the world so that precautions could be taken.

"The Secretary expressed appreciation for the longstanding public health cooperation between the United States and South Africa. Secretary Blinken specifically praised South Africa’s scientists for the quick identification of the Omicron variant and South Africa’s government for its transparency in sharing this information, which should serve as a model for the world," read the statement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

South African Medical Association (SAMA) said that the new Omicron variant of coronavirus resulted in mild disease without prominent syndromes and slammed the hype around it as several countries imposed bans on flight from African countries.

South African Medical Association (SAMA) said that the new Omicron variant of coronavirus resulted in mild disease without prominent syndromes and slammed the hype around it as several countries imposed bans on flight from African countries. "Yes, it is transmissible, but for now, as medical practitioners, we do not know why so much hype is being driven as we are still looking into it," Angelique Coetzee, the chairwoman of SAMA was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency. "We will only know after two to three weeks as there are some patients admitted and these are young people aged 40 and younger," Coetzee added. She criticised the decision by some countries to ban flights from South Africa as premature as there is not enough information on how dangerous it is. World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday identified the new strain of coronavirus as Omicron. The WHO said that the new strain was 'a variant of concern.' The new strain was detected in South Africa. The virus has been seen to show more mutations - over 30 - than previous variants and is feared to be more dangerous. "It presents mild disease with symptoms being sore muscles and tiredness for a day or two not feeling well. So far, we have detected that those infected do not suffer loss of taste or smell. They might have a slight cough. There are no prominent symptoms. Of those infected some are currently being treated at home," Coetzee said. South Africa on Sunday said that it was being punished for reporting the virus. South Africa has some of the best virology facilities in the world. Graeme Codrington said this months ago when a previous variant was identified by South African virologists. A note to journalists who peddle myths on South African variants. These words still hold true.#Omicron pic.twitter.com/KtYzlleX2r — James Melville (@JamesMelville) November 27, 2021 × As facts about the spread surfaced, governments throughout the world banned travel from southern Africa, prompting the foreign ministry to issue the announcement. Also Read | US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement urged world leaders not to implement "knee-jerk" policy decisions in response to the detection of the Omicron variant. The latest round of travel bans is "akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished," it said. Just hours after such a reaction, praise for South Africa came from the US. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised South Africa for quickly identifying the virus and presenting the details to the world so that precautions could be taken. "The Secretary expressed appreciation for the longstanding public health cooperation between the United States and South Africa. Secretary Blinken specifically praised South Africa’s scientists for the quick identification of the Omicron variant and South Africa’s government for its transparency in sharing this information, which should serve as a model for the world," read the statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid: Omicron variant causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association, slams hype 

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday that Omicron variant of coronavirus may already be spreading in France. He said that government was taking measures to contain spread of the variant. Omicron variant had been first detected in South Africa and is potentially more contagious than previous variants.

Experts however, are yet to fully determine whether Omicron will cause &nbsp;more or less severe COVID-19 compared to other strains

"There is no identification yet, but it's a matter of hours," Olivier Veran told reporters at a vaccination centre in Paris.

"Once the variant is circulating in England, in Italy, in Belgium, it is probable that there are already cases in circulation here. We will identify them and (...) we will slow down its spread as much as possible."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-is-causing-mild-disease-says-south-african-medical-association-432552">Omicron variant is causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association&nbsp;</a>

France is in the midst of a fifth wave of the virus.

The Health Ministry recommended on Saturday the isolation of any contact person at risk of a possible case or a confirmed case of the Omicron variant, even vaccinated, in documents sent to establishments and health professionals.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron</a>

Those people should be considered "high risk" and quarantined, the document said.

Until now, contact cases of an infected person had to be isolated only when they were not fully vaccinated or when they had weak immune systems.

(With inputs from agencies)

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday that Omicron variant of coronavirus may already be spreading in France. He said that government was taking measures to contain spread of the variant.

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday that Omicron variant of coronavirus may already be spreading in France. He said that government was taking measures to contain spread of the variant. Omicron variant had been first detected in South Africa and is potentially more contagious than previous variants. Experts however, are yet to fully determine whether Omicron will cause more or less severe COVID-19 compared to other strains "There is no identification yet, but it's a matter of hours," Olivier Veran told reporters at a vaccination centre in Paris. "Once the variant is circulating in England, in Italy, in Belgium, it is probable that there are already cases in circulation here. We will identify them and (...) we will slow down its spread as much as possible." Also Read | Omicron variant is causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association France is in the midst of a fifth wave of the virus. The Health Ministry recommended on Saturday the isolation of any contact person at risk of a possible case or a confirmed case of the Omicron variant, even vaccinated, in documents sent to establishments and health professionals. Also Read | US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron Those people should be considered "high risk" and quarantined, the document said. Until now, contact cases of an infected person had to be isolated only when they were not fully vaccinated or when they had weak immune systems. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron variant is likely circulating in France: Health minister

If Israel's plan gets a nod from its government, it may become the first country to ban entry of all foreigners into the country in light of spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus. Israel also said that it would use counter-terrorism phone-tracking technology in order to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.

Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the ban would last 14 days of approval by the government. Officials are hoping for more information on Omicron variant to trickle in during this period.

Omicron variant, a new variant of Covid-19, was first detected in Sourth Africa and has been dubbed a 'variant of concern' by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-is-causing-mild-disease-says-south-african-medical-association-432552">Omicron variant is causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association&nbsp;</a>

Israelis entering the country, including those who are vaccinated, will be required to quarantine, Bennett said. The ban will come into effect at midnight between Sunday and Monday (November 29). A travel ban on foreigners coming from most African states was imposed on Friday (November 26).

The Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency's phone-tracking technology will be used to locate carriers of the new variant in order to curb its transmission to others, Bennett said.

Israel will host the Miss Universe beauty pageant on Dec 12 despite imposing travel restrictions, Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov said on Sunday.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron</a>

He said participants in the contest, to be held in the Red Sea resort of Eilat, will be granted waivers from the curbs while possibly being subject to PCR testing every 48 hours and other precautionary measures.

Israel has so far confirmed one case of Omicron, with seven suspected cases. The Health Ministry has not said whether the confirmed case was vaccinated. Three of the seven suspected cases were fully vaccinated, the ministry said on Saturday, and three had not returned from travel abroad recently.

Around 57% of Israel's 9.4 million population is fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry, which means they have either received a third shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or it has not yet been five months since they received their second dose. Israel has recorded 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 8,000 fatalities since the pandemic began.

(With inputs from agencies)

If Israel's plan gets a nod from its government, it may become the first country to ban entry of all foreigners into the country in light of spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus.

If Israel's plan gets a nod from its government, it may become the first country to ban entry of all foreigners into the country in light of spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus. Israel also said that it would use counter-terrorism phone-tracking technology in order to contain the spread of the Omicron variant. Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the ban would last 14 days of approval by the government. Officials are hoping for more information on Omicron variant to trickle in during this period. Omicron variant, a new variant of Covid-19, was first detected in Sourth Africa and has been dubbed a 'variant of concern' by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Also Read | Omicron variant is causing mild disease, says South African Medical Association Israelis entering the country, including those who are vaccinated, will be required to quarantine, Bennett said. The ban will come into effect at midnight between Sunday and Monday (November 29). A travel ban on foreigners coming from most African states was imposed on Friday (November 26). The Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency's phone-tracking technology will be used to locate carriers of the new variant in order to curb its transmission to others, Bennett said. Israel will host the Miss Universe beauty pageant on Dec 12 despite imposing travel restrictions, Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov said on Sunday. Also Read | US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron He said participants in the contest, to be held in the Red Sea resort of Eilat, will be granted waivers from the curbs while possibly being subject to PCR testing every 48 hours and other precautionary measures. Israel has so far confirmed one case of Omicron, with seven suspected cases. The Health Ministry has not said whether the confirmed case was vaccinated. Three of the seven suspected cases were fully vaccinated, the ministry said on Saturday, and three had not returned from travel abroad recently. Around 57% of Israel's 9.4 million population is fully vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry, which means they have either received a third shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or it has not yet been five months since they received their second dose. Israel has recorded 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 8,000 fatalities since the pandemic began. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron variant: Israel may become first country to ban entry of all foreigners

With the emergence of a new Covid variant named as Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing an important meeting to assess the situation of the pandemic and the vaccination drive in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the meeting, the PM and top officials will discuss about the way ahead, said government sources on Saturday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-against-travel-curbs-due-to-new-variant-says-closely-monitoring-432286">WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring'</a>

The move comes as the world has been taking several kinds of steps to contain the spread of the new variant, which has already been found in Israel and some countries of Europe. &nbsp;

The new strain of the coronavirus has been classified as a highly transmissible virus of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). &nbsp;

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul among others will be present at the meeting. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-a-precautionary-measure-us-to-restrict-travel-over-fears-of-new-covid-19-variant-432251" hreflang="en">As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new variant</a>

Several countries have already imposed travel curbs and tightened border controls. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday, India has witnessed a single-day rise of 8,318 new coronavirus infections. It has taken the country's total tally of Covid cases to 3,45,63,749. The active cases have declined to 1,07,019, the lowest in 541 days. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the emergence of a new Covid variant named as Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing an important meeting to assess the situation of the pandemic and the vaccination drive in the country.

With the emergence of a new Covid variant named as Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing an important meeting to assess the situation of the pandemic and the vaccination drive in the country. In the meeting, the PM and top officials will discuss about the way ahead, said government sources on Saturday. Also Read: WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring' The move comes as the world has been taking several kinds of steps to contain the spread of the new variant, which has already been found in Israel and some countries of Europe. The new strain of the coronavirus has been classified as a highly transmissible virus of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul among others will be present at the meeting. Also Read: As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new variant Several countries have already imposed travel curbs and tightened border controls. According to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday, India has witnessed a single-day rise of 8,318 new coronavirus infections. It has taken the country's total tally of Covid cases to 3,45,63,749. The active cases have declined to 1,07,019, the lowest in 541 days. (With inputs from agencies)

As new Covid variant emerges, Indian PM Modi chairs vital meeting to assess situation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against imposing travel restrictions due to the B.1.1.529 Covid-19 variant. The organisation says that it would take weeks to understand the implications of the strain.&nbsp;

"WHO is closely monitoring the recently reported variant B.1.1.529," spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a media briefing in Geneva.

"Early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study. It will take a few weeks for us to understand what impact this variant has."

"Researchers are working to understand more about the mutations and what they potentially mean for how transmissible or virulent this variant is, and how they may impact on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines."

As a new variant of Covid-19 has emerged, global authorities are taking precautions for curbing its spread with several imposing travel curbs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-a-precautionary-measure-us-to-restrict-travel-over-fears-of-new-covid-19-variant-432251">Also read |&nbsp;As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant</a>

Various countries, including the US, UK, Italy, Israel, Canada, have banned travellers from southern Africa over the variant fears.

US President Joe Biden, in a statement, deemed it as a "precautionary measure." He further said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.”

Meanwhile, WHO classified the new coronavirus strain detected in South Africa as a "variant of concern," naming it as Omicron.&nbsp;

"Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern, named Omicron," it said.

“This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning,” the WHO said, adding, "preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant as compared to other variants of concern."

B.1.1.529 has shown 50 mutations. 30 of these mutations are on the spike protein alone.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against imposing travel restrictions due to the B.1.1.529 Covid-19 variant. The organisation says that it would take weeks to understand the implications of the strain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against imposing travel restrictions due to the B.1.1.529 Covid-19 variant. The organisation says that it would take weeks to understand the implications of the strain. "WHO is closely monitoring the recently reported variant B.1.1.529," spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a media briefing in Geneva. "Early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study. It will take a few weeks for us to understand what impact this variant has." "Researchers are working to understand more about the mutations and what they potentially mean for how transmissible or virulent this variant is, and how they may impact on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines." As a new variant of Covid-19 has emerged, global authorities are taking precautions for curbing its spread with several imposing travel curbs. Also read | As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant Various countries, including the US, UK, Italy, Israel, Canada, have banned travellers from southern Africa over the variant fears. US President Joe Biden, in a statement, deemed it as a "precautionary measure." He further said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.” Meanwhile, WHO classified the new coronavirus strain detected in South Africa as a "variant of concern," naming it as Omicron. "Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern, named Omicron," it said. “This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning,” the WHO said, adding, "preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant as compared to other variants of concern." B.1.1.529 has shown 50 mutations. 30 of these mutations are on the spike protein alone. (With inputs from agencies)

WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring'

US Food and Drug Administration approved molnupiravir, an anti-Covid pill developed by Merck, as effective against the deadly virus. However, the recent analysis shows a lower efficacy rate than&nbsp;a previous estimate. The preliminary report will be used to guide a panel of FDA experts to consider whether to authorise emergency use of the pill.

The report strictly cautions pregnant women from using the drug. Also, no pregnant women were included in the clinical trials. However, tests involving pregnant rats and rabbits found higher rates of developing underweight and malformed fetuses.

"Both known and possibly unknown risks ... in pregnant or lactating individuals and pediatric patients," the report stated.

After the clinical trial, it was revealed that the drug could help in reducing the rate of hospitalisations and deaths due to Covid by half. The finding, which included a 48 per cent reduction rate, was significant.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merck-seeks-us-fdas-authorisation-for-covid-19-pill-420024">Also read |&nbsp;Merck seeks US FDA's authorisation for COVID-19 pill</a>

It was considered persuasive enough that an independent data review committee decided, in consultation with the FDA, to halt the drug trial ahead of schedule.&nbsp;

Full results were concluded after a clinical trial of over 1,400 patients. These resulted in a more modest reduction rate of hospitalisation and death. It found out that the hospitalisation rate among patients who received the drug was 6.8 per cent.

The FDA attempted to look into Merck's data on safety against the virus before taking a decision.&nbsp;

Merck's CEO Robert Davis had earlier said that the data was submitted to the FDA within 10 days after getting the analysis to move with "unprecedented urgency".

(With inputs from agencies)

US Food and Drug Administration approved molnupiravir, an anti-Covid pill developed by Merck, as effective against the deadly virus. However, the recent analysis shows a lower efficacy rate than a previous estimate.

US Food and Drug Administration approved molnupiravir, an anti-Covid pill developed by Merck, as effective against the deadly virus. However, the recent analysis shows a lower efficacy rate than a previous estimate. The preliminary report will be used to guide a panel of FDA experts to consider whether to authorise emergency use of the pill. The report strictly cautions pregnant women from using the drug. Also, no pregnant women were included in the clinical trials. However, tests involving pregnant rats and rabbits found higher rates of developing underweight and malformed fetuses. "Both known and possibly unknown risks ... in pregnant or lactating individuals and pediatric patients," the report stated. After the clinical trial, it was revealed that the drug could help in reducing the rate of hospitalisations and deaths due to Covid by half. The finding, which included a 48 per cent reduction rate, was significant. Also read | Merck seeks US FDA's authorisation for COVID-19 pill It was considered persuasive enough that an independent data review committee decided, in consultation with the FDA, to halt the drug trial ahead of schedule. Full results were concluded after a clinical trial of over 1,400 patients. These resulted in a more modest reduction rate of hospitalisation and death. It found out that the hospitalisation rate among patients who received the drug was 6.8 per cent. The FDA attempted to look into Merck's data on safety against the virus before taking a decision. Merck's CEO Robert Davis had earlier said that the data was submitted to the FDA within 10 days after getting the analysis to move with "unprecedented urgency". (With inputs from agencies)

New analysis reveals Merck's Covid-19 pill, Molnupiravir, has lower efficacy

As the concerns over the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant emerges, BioNTech says it can update the version of its vaccine within 100 days if Omicron, the new variant first detected in southern Africa, is found to reduce existing immunity. &nbsp;

The company says it will not just produce but also ship it in the timeline. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-virus-variant-detected-in-europe-as-belgium-reports-first-case-432173">New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case</a>

Investigations are already on to know that the vaccine, which has been developed by the German biotechnology company in association with US drugmaker Pfizer, works well against the variant or not. &nbsp;

Omicron has caused concern as it has high number of mutations. It seems to have been transmitting more quickly as well. &nbsp;

According to the company, it will ascertain in two weeks on the basis of lab-based experiments that its current vaccine is still effective against the B.1.1.529 variant, which has been named Omicron by the World Health Organization. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-a-precautionary-measure-us-to-restrict-travel-over-fears-of-new-covid-19-variant-432251" hreflang="en">As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant</a>

To make it more efficient against the new variant, BioNTech said it can tweak its vaccine if required. &nbsp;

In a statement, the company, said, “Pfizer and BioNTech have taken actions months ago to be able to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days in the event of an escape variant.” &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As the concerns over the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant emerges, BioNTech says it can update the version of its vaccine within 100 days if Omicron, the new variant first detected in southern Africa, is found to reduce existing immunity.

As the concerns over the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant emerges, BioNTech says it can update the version of its vaccine within 100 days if Omicron, the new variant first detected in southern Africa, is found to reduce existing immunity. The company says it will not just produce but also ship it in the timeline. Also Read: New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case Investigations are already on to know that the vaccine, which has been developed by the German biotechnology company in association with US drugmaker Pfizer, works well against the variant or not. Omicron has caused concern as it has high number of mutations. It seems to have been transmitting more quickly as well. According to the company, it will ascertain in two weeks on the basis of lab-based experiments that its current vaccine is still effective against the B.1.1.529 variant, which has been named Omicron by the World Health Organization. Also Read: As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant To make it more efficient against the new variant, BioNTech said it can tweak its vaccine if required. In a statement, the company, said, “Pfizer and BioNTech have taken actions months ago to be able to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days in the event of an escape variant.” (With inputs from agencies)

If needed, BioNTech to update its Covid jab within 100 days amid efficiency concerns against Omicron  

Covid crisis seems to be deepening around the world. For last two years, the pandemic has led to loss of several jobs, lives, etc. Numerous attempts have been made to find a solution but to no avail. &nbsp;

Beginning with lockdown, several governments have halted international travels, imposed curfews, tighten border controls, made quarantine centres, build makeshift hospitals, carried out vaccination drives and what not. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Several scientists have also been spending numerous hours to understand the virus in the search for a solution. &nbsp;

But every time, a new variant comes and the world goes back to square one. Till now, the world has seen several variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. And now, its Omicron. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/neither-nu-nor-xi-who-skips-two-greek-letters-for-naming-new-covid-variant-omicron-432328">Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant</a>

The variants have also emerged in different parts of the world, such as the UK, southern Africa, etc. &nbsp;

For last two years, masks have become the closest companions of the people. The craze has reached to the level of making it a fashion accessory. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Since the Covid started, these couple of years have been hard on many people as they forced people to restrict to homes, risk their lives in going out or understand the meaning of losing a loved one&nbsp;and not even being able to give a proper farewell. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The whole exercise seems to be a vicious circle as not everybody is following norms and the number of new cases never cease to exist. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-what-does-variant-of-concern-mean-432361" hreflang="en">Omicron: What does variant of concern mean?</a>

It seems only a mere reduction in the cases is just temporary and an indication that a new variant may crop up somewhere soon. The same has been happening unabated for last two years. &nbsp;

Every new variant has a high number of mutations, which makes it more deadly and transmissible. It also many a time makes the vaccine less effective. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The world has already witnessed several waves of infections. So, the question on several minds now is that will it ever get solved? &nbsp;

Well, this is a tough one and no one other than the future can decipher this deadly code.&nbsp;

Covid crisis seems to be deepening around the world. For last two years, the pandemic has led to loss of several jobs, lives, etc. Numerous attempts have been made to find a solution but to no avail.

Covid crisis seems to be deepening around the world. For last two years, the pandemic has led to loss of several jobs, lives, etc. Numerous attempts have been made to find a solution but to no avail. Beginning with lockdown, several governments have halted international travels, imposed curfews, tighten border controls, made quarantine centres, build makeshift hospitals, carried out vaccination drives and what not. Several scientists have also been spending numerous hours to understand the virus in the search for a solution. But every time, a new variant comes and the world goes back to square one. Till now, the world has seen several variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. And now, its Omicron. Also Read: Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant The variants have also emerged in different parts of the world, such as the UK, southern Africa, etc. For last two years, masks have become the closest companions of the people. The craze has reached to the level of making it a fashion accessory. Since the Covid started, these couple of years have been hard on many people as they forced people to restrict to homes, risk their lives in going out or understand the meaning of losing a loved one and not even being able to give a proper farewell. The whole exercise seems to be a vicious circle as not everybody is following norms and the number of new cases never cease to exist. Also Read | Omicron: What does variant of concern mean? It seems only a mere reduction in the cases is just temporary and an indication that a new variant may crop up somewhere soon. The same has been happening unabated for last two years. Every new variant has a high number of mutations, which makes it more deadly and transmissible. It also many a time makes the vaccine less effective. The world has already witnessed several waves of infections. So, the question on several minds now is that will it ever get solved? Well, this is a tough one and no one other than the future can decipher this deadly code.

With emergence of new variants, will world get respite from Covid crisis ever?

Two passengers from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 at an airport in India’ southern Karnataka state.

The authorities from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru city on Saturday said that their test samples have been sent to a virology lab to ascertain whether they are infected with Omicron variant of coronavirus.

The health department officials said the test results will take another 48 hours to arrive.

Both have been sent to quarantine centres, and they will stay there till their test results confirm the new variant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/passengers-arriving-from-south-africa-at-amsterdam-airport-test-positive-for-covid-19-432380">Passengers arriving from South Africa at Amsterdam airport test positive for COVID-19</a>

Around 584 people landed in Bengaluru from 10 “high-risk” nations, out of which 94 individuals have come from South Africa alone, according to Bengaluru Rural Deputy Commissioner K Srinivas.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting with top bureaucrats to assess the Covid situation in the country.

During the meeting, Modi asked officials to review their order on easing international travel restrictions in the light of Omicron variant that is slowly being reported from various parts of the world.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-typical-mutations-were-found-in-a-traveller-says-german-minister-432392">Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller, says German minister</a>

He also asked officials to step up screening at all international airports and ensure that strict Covid guidelines are followed.

The prime minister highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified as 'at risk'.

The nations that are currently on the ‘at-risk’ list of India are – European countries, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Two passengers from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 at an airport in India’ southern Karnataka state. The authorities from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru city on Saturday said that their test samples have been sent to a virology lab to ascertain whether they are infected with Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Two passengers from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 at an airport in India’ southern Karnataka state. The authorities from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru city on Saturday said that their test samples have been sent to a virology lab to ascertain whether they are infected with Omicron variant of coronavirus. The health department officials said the test results will take another 48 hours to arrive. Both have been sent to quarantine centres, and they will stay there till their test results confirm the new variant. Also read | Passengers arriving from South Africa at Amsterdam airport test positive for COVID-19 Around 584 people landed in Bengaluru from 10 “high-risk” nations, out of which 94 individuals have come from South Africa alone, according to Bengaluru Rural Deputy Commissioner K Srinivas. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting with top bureaucrats to assess the Covid situation in the country. During the meeting, Modi asked officials to review their order on easing international travel restrictions in the light of Omicron variant that is slowly being reported from various parts of the world. Also read | Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller, says German minister He also asked officials to step up screening at all international airports and ensure that strict Covid guidelines are followed. The prime minister highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified as 'at risk'. The nations that are currently on the ‘at-risk’ list of India are – European countries, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel. (With inputs from agencies)

Two passengers from South Africa test Covid positive at India’s Bengaluru airport, quarantined

Different parts of the world are facing different waves of the COVID-19 outbreak. At a time when countries were slowly lifting ban on international travel, a new variant has forced nations to pull their guards up yet again. South Africa recently detected a new variant called B.1.1.529. The World Health Organisation has declared it as a variant of concern and renamed it Omicron.&nbsp;

What do we know about Omicron?

To put it simply, not much. The new variant has taken scientists by surprise. The WHO says that it would take several weeks to study the variant. Experts will be working on determining its transmissibility, severity and response to Covid vaccines. More importantly, research will focus on what kind of tests and treatments would be required to treat Omicron. So far, we know that

•Omicron is in the ‘most-troubling’ category of COVID-19 variants

•The first confirmed infection was from a specimen collected on November 9

•The variant has a large number of mutations

•Omicron could pose an increased risk of reinfection as compared to other variants of concern

Which countries have detected Omicron cases?

Germany

Mutations have been found in a passenger who arrived in the western state of Hesse from South Africa. Kai Klose, Germany’s Social Affairs minister said a full sequencing of the variant was being carried out. The person is isolating. Authorities have urged people who travelled to South Africa in the past few weeks to get tested.

The Netherlands

Sixty-one people who arrived from South Africa have tested positive for COVID-19. Authorities are conducting further tests to determine whether any of the travellers is infected with Omicron. The passengers arrived on two flights who flew from Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Israel

The country has reported its first case of Omicron variant. Two more suspected cases have been detected in people who have returned from overseas. All the travellers were fully vaccinated.

Belgium

This is the first confirmed case of Omicron in Europe. The Belgian health minister said the infected person tested positive on November 22. The person was unvaccinated and wasn’t infected with COVID-19 before.

What are countries doing about the situation?

Countries are restricting travel from southern Africa. The list includes the United States, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

European Union officials have urged all 27 nations in the block to restrict travel to southern Africa nations. The measure comes only as a recommendation to suspend flights. Member states are free to make their own decisions.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to review plans to ease travel restrictions.&nbsp;

Most nations have imposed travel restrictions on Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southe Africa and Zimbabwe.

How has South Africa responded to the travel ban?

South Africa says it is being ‘punished’ for detecting a new COVID-19 variant. The decision to ban travel “is akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished,” the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. The country has also called the decision draconian and unjustified. Joe Phaahla, South African health minister, says travel bans contradict the norms and standards set by the WHO.

What is the situation in South Africa?

The country is on high alert. The health minister said that the country is acting with transparency. Hospitals and health facilities have been alarmed ever since the new variant was identified. The new strain is rapidly spreading in South Africa. Close to two dozen cases have already been reported, most of them have been detected in the Gauteng Province.

The South African government says that the capacity to test, a ramped-up vaccination programme backed by a world-class scientific community would assure the global partners that the authorities are doing all they can in managing the pandemic.

What are the global vaccine producers saying?

The US pharmaceutical company Moderna says it will develop a booster shot against the new variant. The company says one of its strategies includes a higher dose of its existing vaccine. AstraZeneca says it has developed a vaccine platform that enables it to respond to new variants quickly. The company says it is already conducting research in locations where Omicron has been identified. Pfizer/BioNTech, Novavax say they are confident about combating the Omicron variant.

Different parts of the world are facing different waves of the COVID-19 outbreak. At a time when countries were slowly lifting ban on international travel, a new variant has forced nations to pull their guards up yet again.

Different parts of the world are facing different waves of the COVID-19 outbreak. At a time when countries were slowly lifting ban on international travel, a new variant has forced nations to pull their guards up yet again. South Africa recently detected a new variant called B.1.1.529. The World Health Organisation has declared it as a variant of concern and renamed it Omicron. What do we know about Omicron? To put it simply, not much. The new variant has taken scientists by surprise. The WHO says that it would take several weeks to study the variant. Experts will be working on determining its transmissibility, severity and response to Covid vaccines. More importantly, research will focus on what kind of tests and treatments would be required to treat Omicron. So far, we know that •Omicron is in the ‘most-troubling’ category of COVID-19 variants •The first confirmed infection was from a specimen collected on November 9 •The variant has a large number of mutations •Omicron could pose an increased risk of reinfection as compared to other variants of concern Which countries have detected Omicron cases? Germany Mutations have been found in a passenger who arrived in the western state of Hesse from South Africa. Kai Klose, Germany’s Social Affairs minister said a full sequencing of the variant was being carried out. The person is isolating. Authorities have urged people who travelled to South Africa in the past few weeks to get tested. The Netherlands Sixty-one people who arrived from South Africa have tested positive for COVID-19. Authorities are conducting further tests to determine whether any of the travellers is infected with Omicron. The passengers arrived on two flights who flew from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Israel The country has reported its first case of Omicron variant. Two more suspected cases have been detected in people who have returned from overseas. All the travellers were fully vaccinated. Belgium This is the first confirmed case of Omicron in Europe. The Belgian health minister said the infected person tested positive on November 22. The person was unvaccinated and wasn’t infected with COVID-19 before. What are countries doing about the situation? Countries are restricting travel from southern Africa. The list includes the United States, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Sri Lanka. European Union officials have urged all 27 nations in the block to restrict travel to southern Africa nations. The measure comes only as a recommendation to suspend flights. Member states are free to make their own decisions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to review plans to ease travel restrictions. Most nations have imposed travel restrictions on Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southe Africa and Zimbabwe. How has South Africa responded to the travel ban? South Africa says it is being ‘punished’ for detecting a new COVID-19 variant. The decision to ban travel “is akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and not punished,” the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. The country has also called the decision draconian and unjustified. Joe Phaahla, South African health minister, says travel bans contradict the norms and standards set by the WHO. What is the situation in South Africa? The country is on high alert. The health minister said that the country is acting with transparency. Hospitals and health facilities have been alarmed ever since the new variant was identified. The new strain is rapidly spreading in South Africa. Close to two dozen cases have already been reported, most of them have been detected in the Gauteng Province. The South African government says that the capacity to test, a ramped-up vaccination programme backed by a world-class scientific community would assure the global partners that the authorities are doing all they can in managing the pandemic. What are the global vaccine producers saying? The US pharmaceutical company Moderna says it will develop a booster shot against the new variant. The company says one of its strategies includes a higher dose of its existing vaccine. AstraZeneca says it has developed a vaccine platform that enables it to respond to new variants quickly. The company says it is already conducting research in locations where Omicron has been identified. Pfizer/BioNTech, Novavax say they are confident about combating the Omicron variant.

Decoding Omicron: The new variant of concern

Prime Minister on Saturday asked officials to reconsider plans on easing international travel restrictions in the light of the new coronavirus variant, Omircron, which has been classified as a variant of concern by the WHO.

On Friday, India had decided to resume international passenger flights from countries deemed "at risk" of the coronavirus, while ordering tightened border screening on the account of lower reported cases.

At a meeting to review the Covid situation, Modi “highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’, after the WHO warned about “increased risk of reinfection with this variant”&nbsp;

So far, the United States, Canada, Russia, Britain, Israel, the Philippines and EU states have banned all travel from the southern African countries, where the new cases have been reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-what-does-variant-of-concern-mean-432361">Omicron: What does variant of concern mean?</a>

“Modi was briefed about the global trends on coronavirus cases and officials highlighted that countries across the world have experienced multiple COVID-19 surges since the onset of the pandemic,” a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement said.

Modi spoke about the need to be proactive in light of the new variant and said that people need to be more cautious and take proper precautions like masking up and maintaining social distance, according to the PMO.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/neither-nu-nor-xi-who-skips-two-greek-letters-for-naming-new-covid-variant-omicron-432328">Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron &nbsp;</a>

“He directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are reporting higher cases presently,” the statement said.

Modi told officials to accelerate second-dose coverage, it said.

Also Read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-against-travel-curbs-due-to-new-variant-says-closely-monitoring-432286" hreflang="en">WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring'</a>

The prime minister highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified as 'at risk'.

The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul, among others.

So far now, no cases of infection with the new variant have been reported in India.

The country has been witnessing a dip in new cases every day, as only 8,318 new Covid cases have been recorded on Saturday—a drop of 21% than Friday.,

The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 20,000 for 50 continuous days and less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 153 consecutive days now.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister on Saturday asked officials to reconsider plans on easing international travel restrictions in the light of the new coronavirus variant, Omircron, which has been classified as a variant of concern by the WHO.

Prime Minister on Saturday asked officials to reconsider plans on easing international travel restrictions in the light of the new coronavirus variant, Omircron, which has been classified as a variant of concern by the WHO. On Friday, India had decided to resume international passenger flights from countries deemed "at risk" of the coronavirus, while ordering tightened border screening on the account of lower reported cases. At a meeting to review the Covid situation, Modi “highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’, after the WHO warned about “increased risk of reinfection with this variant” So far, the United States, Canada, Russia, Britain, Israel, the Philippines and EU states have banned all travel from the southern African countries, where the new cases have been reported. Also read | Omicron: What does variant of concern mean? “Modi was briefed about the global trends on coronavirus cases and officials highlighted that countries across the world have experienced multiple COVID-19 surges since the onset of the pandemic,” a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement said. Modi spoke about the need to be proactive in light of the new variant and said that people need to be more cautious and take proper precautions like masking up and maintaining social distance, according to the PMO. Also read | Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron “He directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are reporting higher cases presently,” the statement said. Modi told officials to accelerate second-dose coverage, it said. Also Read | WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring' The prime minister highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified as 'at risk'. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul, among others. So far now, no cases of infection with the new variant have been reported in India. The country has been witnessing a dip in new cases every day, as only 8,318 new Covid cases have been recorded on Saturday—a drop of 21% than Friday., The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 20,000 for 50 continuous days and less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 153 consecutive days now. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian PM Modi calls for review on easing international travel plans amid Omicron variant concerns

The world reacted with alarm Friday to the highly mutated new coronavirus variant discovered in southern Africa, as the United States, the European Union and nations across the globe imposed new travel restrictions, financial markets swooned, and visions of finally emerging from the pandemic started to dim.

Just two days after the world learned of the variant, the World Health Organization officially labeled it a “variant of concern,” its most serious category — the first since the delta variant, which emerged a year ago. The designation means that the variant has mutations that might make it more contagious or more virulent, or make vaccines and other preventive measures less effective — although none of those effects has yet been established.

After an emergency meeting, the WHO warned in a statement that “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant” in people who have already had COVID-19. In keeping with the practice of naming variants for letters of the Greek alphabet, it dubbed the new one omicron.

The WHO and scientists on multiple continents cautioned that very little is known about the omicron variant or about whether the dangers it poses will justify the fears it is stoking. South African scientists announced its existence Wednesday, and the number of cases definitively identified, all of them within the past three weeks, is still small, under 100.

But the swift global responses demonstrated that after nearly two years of facing accusations that they were too slow and timid in tackling the pandemic, many policymakers would rather risk overreacting to a new threat than underreacting.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/using-desperate-migrants-as-pawns-lukashenko-faces-sanctions-threat-pitches-for-russian-missiles-429281">Also read |&nbsp;'Using desperate migrants as pawns': Lukashenko faces sanctions threat, pitches for Russian missiles</a>

“We are following the path of maximum caution,” said Roberto Speranza, the health minister of Italy, which suffered terribly when COVID first hit Europe early last year.

On Friday, Israel, Singapore, several European nations individually, and then the European Union as a whole, the United States and Canada followed the lead set by Britain Thursday night, temporarily barring foreign travelers who have recently been in South Africa or any of several neighboring countries. As with past travel bans, countries are allowing their own citizens and permanent residents to return home if they test negative for the virus, with some requiring additional testing and quarantine after arrival.

After a briefing by his top advisers on the pandemic, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden made the decision to bar travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi starting Monday.

“I’ve decided that we’re going to be cautious,” Biden told reporters in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he spent Thanksgiving with his family. “We don’t know a lot about the variant except that it is a great concern and seems to spread rapidly.”

Officials warned that even with quickly enacted travel restrictions, omicron, like past variants, is certain to spread and reach the United States, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement Friday night that no cases had been identified as yet.

“It’s going to buy us some time,” Fauci said in an interview. “It’s not going to be possible to keep this infection out of the country. The question is: Can you slow it down?”

“You don’t want to say don’t worry, and you don’t want to say you’ve got to worry yourself sick, because we’re gathering information rapidly,” Fauci said, adding, “Even though the numbers are still small, the doubling time is pretty rapid and the slope of the increase is really rather sharp.”

The administration is already in talks with vaccine makers about the possibility that they may have to reformulate the shots to respond to the variant, according to another administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. But first, scientists would need to determine that existing vaccines really are less effective against omicron, a process that is expected to take weeks, if not longer.

Stock indexes and oil prices tumbled around the world, as news of the variant and travel restrictions — coming in the economically vital holiday season — raised fears of yet more financial damage caused by the pandemic. On Friday, the S&amp;P 500 index logged its worst day since February, falling 2.3%, and European stock markets fell 3% to 5%. Benchmark oil futures fell 13% in the United States and 11% in Europe.

Scientists have identified about 50 mutations in the genome of the omicron variant that set it apart from other variants, far more than in any previous variant, including more than 30 on the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to host cells.

Changes in the spike protein are particularly worrisome because immune system antibodies that fight the virus — whether they are induced by infection or by vaccination — primarily recognise and target the spike.

But a leading Italian virus expert, Roberto Burioni, said people should not panic, writing on Twitter, “Substantively NOTHING is known about the new variant.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-fake-news-on-facebook-helped-fuel-a-border-crisis-in-europe-432158">Also read |&nbsp;How fake news on Facebook helped fuel a border crisis in Europe</a>

In addition to South Africa, the variant has been found in a handful of people in Botswana, Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong, but experience with previous variants suggests that when the first cases are identified, it is likely more have gone undetected.

“This variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage,” the WHO said.

In South Africa, officials and business owners reacted bitterly to the international response. The nation put its sophisticated disease surveillance and research systems to good use, and quickly shared the results with the world, only to have its transparency repaid with damaging travel bans.

“Perhaps our scientists’ ability to trace some of these variants has been our biggest weakness,” said Lindiwe Sisulu, the tourism minister. “We’re finding ourselves punished for the work that we do.”

“We had been on the British red list, and we worked our way out of it, and with no notification we find ourselves back on the red list,” she told a national television station.

Health officials in Africa suggested that increased screening at points of entry, or even longer quarantine periods, would have been a better alternative.

“This will just discourage different countries for sharing information which might be very important for global public health,” said Thierno Balde, the WHO’s incident manager for COVID response in Africa.

The response to the omicron variant was especially quick and sharp in Europe, once again the epicentre of the global pandemic, where fights over vaccines and social restrictions have grown increasingly harsh.

Reported coronavirus cases have soared in Europe from about 700,000 a week in early September to 2.6 million a week. The surge began in the less-vaccinated countries of Eastern Europe, but then spread to highly vaccinated nations to the west that had thought they would not be vulnerable and were caught off guard.

The countries that currently have the world’s highest case rates for their populations are all European — several of them about six times as high as the US&nbsp;rate.

South Africa, whose last coronavirus wave peaked in July, has recently reported case rates far below the worldwide average. But last week the rate more than doubled from the week before.

The world reacted with alarm Friday to the highly mutated new coronavirus variant discovered in southern Africa, as the United States, the European Union and nations across the globe imposed new travel restrictions, financial markets swooned, and visions of finally emerging from the pandemic started to dim.

The world reacted with alarm Friday to the highly mutated new coronavirus variant discovered in southern Africa, as the United States, the European Union and nations across the globe imposed new travel restrictions, financial markets swooned, and visions of finally emerging from the pandemic started to dim. Just two days after the world learned of the variant, the World Health Organization officially labeled it a “variant of concern,” its most serious category — the first since the delta variant, which emerged a year ago. The designation means that the variant has mutations that might make it more contagious or more virulent, or make vaccines and other preventive measures less effective — although none of those effects has yet been established. After an emergency meeting, the WHO warned in a statement that “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant” in people who have already had COVID-19. In keeping with the practice of naming variants for letters of the Greek alphabet, it dubbed the new one omicron. The WHO and scientists on multiple continents cautioned that very little is known about the omicron variant or about whether the dangers it poses will justify the fears it is stoking. South African scientists announced its existence Wednesday, and the number of cases definitively identified, all of them within the past three weeks, is still small, under 100. But the swift global responses demonstrated that after nearly two years of facing accusations that they were too slow and timid in tackling the pandemic, many policymakers would rather risk overreacting to a new threat than underreacting. Also read | 'Using desperate migrants as pawns': Lukashenko faces sanctions threat, pitches for Russian missiles “We are following the path of maximum caution,” said Roberto Speranza, the health minister of Italy, which suffered terribly when COVID first hit Europe early last year. On Friday, Israel, Singapore, several European nations individually, and then the European Union as a whole, the United States and Canada followed the lead set by Britain Thursday night, temporarily barring foreign travelers who have recently been in South Africa or any of several neighboring countries. As with past travel bans, countries are allowing their own citizens and permanent residents to return home if they test negative for the virus, with some requiring additional testing and quarantine after arrival. After a briefing by his top advisers on the pandemic, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden made the decision to bar travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi starting Monday. “I’ve decided that we’re going to be cautious,” Biden told reporters in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he spent Thanksgiving with his family. “We don’t know a lot about the variant except that it is a great concern and seems to spread rapidly.” Officials warned that even with quickly enacted travel restrictions, omicron, like past variants, is certain to spread and reach the United States, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement Friday night that no cases had been identified as yet. “It’s going to buy us some time,” Fauci said in an interview. “It’s not going to be possible to keep this infection out of the country. The question is: Can you slow it down?” “You don’t want to say don’t worry, and you don’t want to say you’ve got to worry yourself sick, because we’re gathering information rapidly,” Fauci said, adding, “Even though the numbers are still small, the doubling time is pretty rapid and the slope of the increase is really rather sharp.” The administration is already in talks with vaccine makers about the possibility that they may have to reformulate the shots to respond to the variant, according to another administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. But first, scientists would need to determine that existing vaccines really are less effective against omicron, a process that is expected to take weeks, if not longer. Stock indexes and oil prices tumbled around the world, as news of the variant and travel restrictions — coming in the economically vital holiday season — raised fears of yet more financial damage caused by the pandemic. On Friday, the S&P 500 index logged its worst day since February, falling 2.3%, and European stock markets fell 3% to 5%. Benchmark oil futures fell 13% in the United States and 11% in Europe. Scientists have identified about 50 mutations in the genome of the omicron variant that set it apart from other variants, far more than in any previous variant, including more than 30 on the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to host cells. Changes in the spike protein are particularly worrisome because immune system antibodies that fight the virus — whether they are induced by infection or by vaccination — primarily recognise and target the spike. But a leading Italian virus expert, Roberto Burioni, said people should not panic, writing on Twitter, “Substantively NOTHING is known about the new variant.” Also read | How fake news on Facebook helped fuel a border crisis in Europe In addition to South Africa, the variant has been found in a handful of people in Botswana, Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong, but experience with previous variants suggests that when the first cases are identified, it is likely more have gone undetected. “This variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage,” the WHO said. In South Africa, officials and business owners reacted bitterly to the international response. The nation put its sophisticated disease surveillance and research systems to good use, and quickly shared the results with the world, only to have its transparency repaid with damaging travel bans. “Perhaps our scientists’ ability to trace some of these variants has been our biggest weakness,” said Lindiwe Sisulu, the tourism minister. “We’re finding ourselves punished for the work that we do.” “We had been on the British red list, and we worked our way out of it, and with no notification we find ourselves back on the red list,” she told a national television station. Health officials in Africa suggested that increased screening at points of entry, or even longer quarantine periods, would have been a better alternative. “This will just discourage different countries for sharing information which might be very important for global public health,” said Thierno Balde, the WHO’s incident manager for COVID response in Africa. The response to the omicron variant was especially quick and sharp in Europe, once again the epicentre of the global pandemic, where fights over vaccines and social restrictions have grown increasingly harsh. Reported coronavirus cases have soared in Europe from about 700,000 a week in early September to 2.6 million a week. The surge began in the less-vaccinated countries of Eastern Europe, but then spread to highly vaccinated nations to the west that had thought they would not be vulnerable and were caught off guard. The countries that currently have the world’s highest case rates for their populations are all European — several of them about six times as high as the US rate. South Africa, whose last coronavirus wave peaked in July, has recently reported case rates far below the worldwide average. But last week the rate more than doubled from the week before.

New ‘variant of concern’ fuels global fear of another virus surge

Passengers coming to Mumbai from South Africa will be quarantined and tested for the new coronavirus variant, Omicron—which has been described the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern.

Moreover, the test samples collected would be sent for genome sequencing to check if the passengers are infected with the new Covid variant.

"There are concerns in Mumbai about the new variant of coronavirus. Genome sequencing of (positive) passengers coming from South Africa will be done. There is no restriction on outbound flights in any way. But this decision has been taken keeping in view past experience," Mumbai city’s mayor Kishori Pednekar said on Saturday.

“There is an increased risk of COVID-19 in other nations, so those coming from abroad will have to undergo genome test. I request everyone to maintain social distancing and wear masks so that this new menace can be stopped,” she added.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/neither-nu-nor-xi-who-skips-two-greek-letters-for-naming-new-covid-variant-omicron-432328">Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron &nbsp;</a>

On Friday, the WHO classified the new variant that was first identified in southern Africa as a “variant of concern.”

In a&nbsp;statement, WHO said preliminary evidence suggested “an increased risk of reinfection with this variant” as it added the new discovery to the list of variants of concern, giving it the name "omicron."

Also Read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-against-travel-curbs-due-to-new-variant-says-closely-monitoring-432286" hreflang="en">WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring'</a>

WHO said the number of cases of the variant appeared to be rising in almost all provinces in South Africa.

It also said the variant had been detected “at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Passengers coming to Mumbai from South Africa will be quarantined and tested for the new coronavirus variant, Omicron—which has been described the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern.

Passengers coming to Mumbai from South Africa will be quarantined and tested for the new coronavirus variant, Omicron—which has been described the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern. Moreover, the test samples collected would be sent for genome sequencing to check if the passengers are infected with the new Covid variant. "There are concerns in Mumbai about the new variant of coronavirus. Genome sequencing of (positive) passengers coming from South Africa will be done. There is no restriction on outbound flights in any way. But this decision has been taken keeping in view past experience," Mumbai city’s mayor Kishori Pednekar said on Saturday. “There is an increased risk of COVID-19 in other nations, so those coming from abroad will have to undergo genome test. I request everyone to maintain social distancing and wear masks so that this new menace can be stopped,” she added. Also read | Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron On Friday, the WHO classified the new variant that was first identified in southern Africa as a “variant of concern.” In a statement, WHO said preliminary evidence suggested “an increased risk of reinfection with this variant” as it added the new discovery to the list of variants of concern, giving it the name "omicron." Also Read | WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring' WHO said the number of cases of the variant appeared to be rising in almost all provinces in South Africa. It also said the variant had been detected “at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.” (With inputs from agencies)

Quarantine, genome sequencing for passengers coming from South Africa to Mumbai, says city’s mayor

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a Covid-19 "disaster emergency" declaration on Friday amid a surge in cases and hospitalisations. Earlier, the governor had warned that several options, including a state emergency declaration and calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address hospital staffing shortages.&nbsp;

In a statement, Hochul said, "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities."

"I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care." 
This comes at a time when a new variant of Covid-19, Omicron, has raised concerns.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-classifies-new-covid-19-strain-as-variant-of-concern-names-it-omicron-432234">Also read |&nbsp;WHO classifies new COVID-19 strain as 'variant of concern'; names it Omicron</a>

Global authorities are taking precautions for curbing the spread of this new variant. As a 'precautionary measure', the US will be restricting travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries, including, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. Starting from Monday, only US citizens and residents will be allowed to travel from the region.

US President Joe Biden, in a statement, deemed it as a "precautionary measure." He further said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.”

The World Health Organisation classified the new coronavirus strain detected in South Africa as a "variant of concern."

(With inputs from agencies)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a Covid-19 "disaster emergency" declaration on Friday amid a surge in cases and hospitalisations. Earlier, the governor had warned that several options, including a state emergency declaration and calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address hospital staffing shortages.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a Covid-19 "disaster emergency" declaration on Friday amid a surge in cases and hospitalisations. Earlier, the governor had warned that several options, including a state emergency declaration and calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address hospital staffing shortages. In a statement, Hochul said, "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities." "I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care." This comes at a time when a new variant of Covid-19, Omicron, has raised concerns. Also read | WHO classifies new COVID-19 strain as 'variant of concern'; names it Omicron Global authorities are taking precautions for curbing the spread of this new variant. As a 'precautionary measure', the US will be restricting travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries, including, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. Starting from Monday, only US citizens and residents will be allowed to travel from the region. US President Joe Biden, in a statement, deemed it as a "precautionary measure." He further said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.” The World Health Organisation classified the new coronavirus strain detected in South Africa as a "variant of concern." (With inputs from agencies)

New York: 'Disaster emergency' declared as Covid cases and hospitalisations see a surge

Naming can get tricky sometimes even when someone is following a sequence of letters. Although it shouldn’t happen usually, it can at times. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The same holds true for the naming of new Covid variant Omicron, where two letters in the Greek alphabet, Nu and Xi, were skipped for various reasons by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday. &nbsp;

The new Covid variant, which was first detected in southern Africa, has taken the world by surprise.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-new-covid-variant-emerges-indian-pm-modi-chairs-vital-meeting-to-assess-situation-432294">As new Covid variant emerges, Indian PM chairs meeting to assess situation</a> &nbsp;

Since its emergence, the world has been taking several kinds of steps, such as imposing travel curbs and tightening border controls, to contain the spread of the new variant. It has already been found in Israel and some countries of Europe. &nbsp;

The process of choosing name for this new Covid variant also wasn’t an easy task for the authorities even when they were following a sequence. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The officials seem to have skipped ‘Nu’ in order to avoid confusion with the word “new” and ‘Xi’ to its similarity to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s name, speculated experts. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-against-travel-curbs-due-to-new-variant-says-closely-monitoring-432286" hreflang="en">WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring'</a>

US Senator Ted Cruz retweeted an editor of Telegraph’s post that cited a source at WHO saying Xi was skipped to “avoid stigmatising a region.” &nbsp;

“If the WHO is this scared of the Chinese Communist Party, how can they be trusted to call them out next time they’re trying to cover up a catastrophic global pandemic?” Cruz said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Naming can get tricky sometimes even when someone is following a sequence of letters. Although it shouldn’t happen usually, it can at times. The same holds true for the naming of new Covid variant Omicron, where two letters in the Greek alphabet, Nu and Xi, were skipped for various reasons by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday.

Naming can get tricky sometimes even when someone is following a sequence of letters. Although it shouldn’t happen usually, it can at times. The same holds true for the naming of new Covid variant Omicron, where two letters in the Greek alphabet, Nu and Xi, were skipped for various reasons by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday. The new Covid variant, which was first detected in southern Africa, has taken the world by surprise. Also Read: As new Covid variant emerges, Indian PM chairs meeting to assess situation Since its emergence, the world has been taking several kinds of steps, such as imposing travel curbs and tightening border controls, to contain the spread of the new variant. It has already been found in Israel and some countries of Europe. The process of choosing name for this new Covid variant also wasn’t an easy task for the authorities even when they were following a sequence. The officials seem to have skipped ‘Nu’ in order to avoid confusion with the word “new” and ‘Xi’ to its similarity to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s name, speculated experts. Also Read: WHO warns against travel curbs due to new variant, says 'closely monitoring' US Senator Ted Cruz retweeted an editor of Telegraph’s post that cited a source at WHO saying Xi was skipped to “avoid stigmatising a region.” “If the WHO is this scared of the Chinese Communist Party, how can they be trusted to call them out next time they’re trying to cover up a catastrophic global pandemic?” Cruz said. (With inputs from agencies)

Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron  

A new variant of Covid is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it.

UK on Thursday banned flights from six African countries where the variant with multiple mutations was found, and the WHO is holding a meeting on Friday to decide whether to call B.1.1.529 a 'variant of concern'.

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COVID-19 UPDATE:<a href="https://twitter.com/UKHSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UKHSA</a> is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now. 
 
From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) <a href="https://twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1463973520497684480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The World Health Organization is holding the special meeting to discuss the variant that has an unusually high number of mutations to its spike protein, up to 10 by some accounts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-new-variant-emerges-india-to-tighten-covid-testing-for-international-tourists-432018">As new variant emerges, India to tighten Covid testing for international tourists</a> &nbsp;

The move comes even as parts of the world is still struggling with the deadly Delta variant, and other parts are reopening&nbsp;after nearly two years of on-and-off lockdowns that have debilitated their economies.

“We don’t know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is that when you have so many mutations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19.

Watch:&nbsp;New COVID variant discovered in South Africa

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The WHO meeting on Friday will discuss the impact&nbsp;of the new variant on the ongoing vaccines and treatments.

After the variant was detected in South Africa, the UK has&nbsp;suspended flights from six African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana.&nbsp;

Also read :&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-variant-having-large-number-of-mutations-detected-in-south-africa-431892">New coronavirus variant, having large number of mutations, detected in South Africa</a>

The UK health secretary Sajid Javid made the announcement of banning flights connecting soon after the WHO briefing on the varient.

“More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine,” Javid wrote on Twitter.

It could be devastating for Africa if the new variant spreads, as the continent is far behind in vaccination for the pandemic. In South Africa, for instance, only 43% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated.

The new strain has been detected in 22 patients in South Africa. The pathogen was also found in Hong Kong and Botswana.

The new variant has 10 mutations in the spike protein, which scientists described as a 'big jump in the evolution' of the coronavirus pathogen. Delta variant, which wreaked havoc across the world much of this year, has two mutations,&nbsp;&nbsp;whereas the Beta variant has three, according to experts.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A new variant of Covid is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it. UK on Thursday banned flights from six African countries where the variant with multiple mutations was found, and the WHO is holding a meeting on Friday to decide whether to call B.

A new variant of Covid is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it. UK on Thursday banned flights from six African countries where the variant with multiple mutations was found, and the WHO is holding a meeting on Friday to decide whether to call B.1.1.529 a 'variant of concern'. COVID-19 UPDATE:@UKHSA is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine. — Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 25, 2021 × The World Health Organization is holding the special meeting to discuss the variant that has an unusually high number of mutations to its spike protein, up to 10 by some accounts. Also read: As new variant emerges, India to tighten Covid testing for international tourists The move comes even as parts of the world is still struggling with the deadly Delta variant, and other parts are reopening after nearly two years of on-and-off lockdowns that have debilitated their economies. “We don’t know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is that when you have so many mutations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19. Watch: New COVID variant discovered in South Africa × The WHO meeting on Friday will discuss the impact of the new variant on the ongoing vaccines and treatments. After the variant was detected in South Africa, the UK has suspended flights from six African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Also read : New coronavirus variant, having large number of mutations, detected in South Africa The UK health secretary Sajid Javid made the announcement of banning flights connecting soon after the WHO briefing on the varient. “More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine,” Javid wrote on Twitter. It could be devastating for Africa if the new variant spreads, as the continent is far behind in vaccination for the pandemic. In South Africa, for instance, only 43% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated. The new strain has been detected in 22 patients in South Africa. The pathogen was also found in Hong Kong and Botswana. The new variant has 10 mutations in the spike protein, which scientists described as a 'big jump in the evolution' of the coronavirus pathogen. Delta variant, which wreaked havoc across the world much of this year, has two mutations, whereas the Beta variant has three, according to experts.

Highly mutated new Covid variant: UK bans 6 African nations' flights, WHO calls special meeting

Germany on Friday deployed its Air Force to transfer seriously ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the south as the country’s coronavirus cases continued to break records.

Cases in Germany have been rising sharply in recent weeks, after seeing a dip in the summer, with daily new infections hitting a record above 76,000 on Friday.

German news agency&nbsp;dpa&nbsp;reported that starting Friday, a Luftwaffe A310 medevac plane will&nbsp;start transporting seriously ill COVID patients from the southern state of Bavaria to the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia

The military is setting aside two planes for such operations going forward.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-virus-variant-detected-in-europe-as-belgium-reports-first-case-432173">New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case</a>

“Transporting 80 or 100 patients&nbsp;within Germany is possible once, or perhaps twice, but not indefinitely,” Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

"We must stop this wave now, otherwise we'll experience exactly what we always wanted to avoid, namely an overburdening of our health care system," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;S<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-says-uks-travel-ban-order-seems-rushed-as-new-covid-variant-raises-alarm-432166">outh Africa says UK’s travel ban order 'seems rushed' as new Covid variant raises alarm</a>

Citing the sharp rise in cases, Spahn said contacts between people need to be sharply reduced to curb the spread of the virus.

“The situation is dramatically serious, more serious than it's been at any point in the pandemic,” he told reporters in Berlin.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-covid-19-variant-from-uk-to-france-list-of-countries-that-have-banned-travel-to-south-africa-432196">New COVID-19 variant: From UK to France, list of countries that have banned travel to South Africa</a>

Otherwise, there could be a "complete" reduction, he said, without mentioning "lockdown".

According to reports, hospitals in southern and eastern regions of Germany are running out of intensive care beds because of the large number of seriously ill COVID-19&nbsp;patients.

(With reports from agencies)

Germany on Friday deployed its Air Force to transfer seriously ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the south as the country’s coronavirus cases continued to break records.

Germany on Friday deployed its Air Force to transfer seriously ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in the south as the country’s coronavirus cases continued to break records. Cases in Germany have been rising sharply in recent weeks, after seeing a dip in the summer, with daily new infections hitting a record above 76,000 on Friday. German news agency dpa reported that starting Friday, a Luftwaffe A310 medevac plane will start transporting seriously ill COVID patients from the southern state of Bavaria to the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia The military is setting aside two planes for such operations going forward. Also read | New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case “Transporting 80 or 100 patients within Germany is possible once, or perhaps twice, but not indefinitely,” Health Minister Jens Spahn said. "We must stop this wave now, otherwise we'll experience exactly what we always wanted to avoid, namely an overburdening of our health care system," he added. Also read | South Africa says UK’s travel ban order 'seems rushed' as new Covid variant raises alarm Citing the sharp rise in cases, Spahn said contacts between people need to be sharply reduced to curb the spread of the virus. “The situation is dramatically serious, more serious than it's been at any point in the pandemic,” he told reporters in Berlin. Also read | New COVID-19 variant: From UK to France, list of countries that have banned travel to South Africa Otherwise, there could be a "complete" reduction, he said, without mentioning "lockdown". According to reports, hospitals in southern and eastern regions of Germany are running out of intensive care beds because of the large number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. (With reports from agencies)

Germany deploys Air Force planes to transport seriously ill Covid patients as hospitals run out of bed

A Hong Kong restaurant group is splurging around US $650,000 to let their staff of 250 people fly off to their homes so that they can spend time with their families.

The restaurant has employees from various parts of the world, including India, Nepal, England and Italy, reports CNN.&nbsp;

Apart from money on flights and the battery of Covid tests, the staff will also receive extra weeks of unpaid leave to enable them to undergo Hong Kong's notorious hotel quarantine when they return.

Hong Kong has one of the strict Covid regulations for returning residents. The travellers have to remain quarantined in designated hotels for either two or three weeks at their own expense.

But there is only one condition. The staff must have completed one year of service upon their return.

The programme was the brainchild of Black Sheep Restaurant's owners, Syed Asim Hussain and Christopher Mark.

“It was a silly idea we had after one too many bottles of wine… The next day we spoke with our business people -- they were totally against it. They’re there to help us not make stupid decisions,” Hussain told CNN.

But, Hussain and Mark still went ahead despite a resounding no from their advisors.

“Our business people are amazing and help us understand the liability and risk, but it's going to get in the way of doing the right thing,” Hussain said.

“This always is a business in which margins are razor thin, but especially now. I understand it was kind of brazen -- but it felt like the right thing to do,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Hong Kong restaurant group is splurging around US $650,000 to let their staff of 250 people fly off to their homes so that they can spend time with their families.

A Hong Kong restaurant group is splurging around US $650,000 to let their staff of 250 people fly off to their homes so that they can spend time with their families. The restaurant has employees from various parts of the world, including India, Nepal, England and Italy, reports CNN. Apart from money on flights and the battery of Covid tests, the staff will also receive extra weeks of unpaid leave to enable them to undergo Hong Kong's notorious hotel quarantine when they return. Hong Kong has one of the strict Covid regulations for returning residents. The travellers have to remain quarantined in designated hotels for either two or three weeks at their own expense. But there is only one condition. The staff must have completed one year of service upon their return. The programme was the brainchild of Black Sheep Restaurant's owners, Syed Asim Hussain and Christopher Mark. “It was a silly idea we had after one too many bottles of wine… The next day we spoke with our business people -- they were totally against it. They’re there to help us not make stupid decisions,” Hussain told CNN. But, Hussain and Mark still went ahead despite a resounding no from their advisors. “Our business people are amazing and help us understand the liability and risk, but it's going to get in the way of doing the right thing,” Hussain said. “This always is a business in which margins are razor thin, but especially now. I understand it was kind of brazen -- but it felt like the right thing to do,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

This Hong Kong restaurant group is spending $650,000 to fly off 250 staff to homes

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