Australia reviews third coronavirus case of Omicron variant

Australian authorities introduced on Monday a 3rd case of the omicron Covid-19 variant as authorities leaders reconsidered plans to chill out border restrictions this week.

A South African man in his 30s who flew from Johannesburg to the northern Australian metropolis of Darwin final Thursday examined constructive for the brand new variant at Australia’s most safe quarantine facility at Howard Springs, Northern Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles stated.New South Wales state authorities reported on Sunday that two travellers from South Africa to Sydney had develop into Australia’s first omicron instances. Both had been absolutely vaccinated, confirmed no signs and had been in quarantine in Sydney.New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet stated Monday there could possibly be a 3rd omicron case in Australia’s most populous state.In the 24 hours since Sunday, 141 passengers on 5 flights arrived from the 9 nations affected by the omicron variant, officers stated. All the travellers had been in quarantine.MORE ACTION REQUIRED?Senior federal authorities ministers are assembly Monday to think about the nationwide response, together with whether or not to change plans to chill out border restrictions beginning Wednesday.Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt stated Australian authorities “will not hesitate to take additional steps if the medical evidence is that more” motion is required.BORDER RESTRICTIONS RELAXEDPrime Minister Scott Morrison introduced final week that beginning Wednesday, vaccinated college students, expert staff and vacationers on working holidays will probably be allowed to land at Sydney and Melbourne airports with out quarantining.Vaccinated residents of Japan and South Korea with sure Australian visas would even be allowed in with out quarantining, in addition to folks on humanitarian visas, the federal government stated final week.PM URGES CALM RESPONSEMorrison on Monday urged a relaxed response to omicron, which the World Health Organization has designated a variant of concern.“There’s no evidence to suggest that this leads to any more severe disease. If anything, it’s suggesting a lesser form of disease, particularly for those who are vaccinated,” Morrison advised Nine Network tv.“Case numbers of themselves are not the issue. It’s about whether people are getting a worse illness or it’s going to put stress on your hospital system,” Morrison stated.TRAVEL GUIDELINES IN AUSTRALIANew South Wales and Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, in addition to the nationwide capital Canberra have launched a blanket 72-hour quarantine requirement for all worldwide arrivals.Hunt introduced on Saturday that due to the issues about omicron, non-Australian residents and everlasting residents who’ve been to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, Malawi, and Mozambique throughout the previous 14 days won’t be able to enter Australia.Australians will probably be allowed in however should quarantine for 14 days.ALSO READ: Covid: India revises tips for worldwide travellers amid Omicron variant scareALSO READ: New Covid-19 variant Omicron sparks meme fest on-line. See greatest ones