Omicron Covid-19 variant: Travel restrictions worldwide

At least 23 nations have confirmed circumstances of the omicron variant of Covid-19, based on a World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Amidst worries of the brand new variant’s impression, WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove stated that information on its contagiousness is predicted “within days”.
Meanwhile, about 56 nations have been reportedly implementing journey measures to protect towards Omicron as of Nov. 28, the WHO stated. Many nations have applied new restrictions or prolonged present curbs for worldwide air journey. The measures have been criticised by the chief of the United Nations chief, who accused nations of exercising “travel aparthied” for limiting air journey from some African nations. The variant was first found by well being specialists in South Africa.
Here are the assorted measures imposed by nations globally:
United States: After the primary identified case of omicron variant was recorded in California, the United States has barred almost all foreigners who’ve been in one in all eight southern African nations. These are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. A Reuters report stated that the White House additionally plans to announce stricter testing guidelines for worldwide guests.Airlines within the United States have been instructed handy over the names of passengers arriving from elements of southern Africa hit by Omicron, based on a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention letter seen by Reuters.

South Korea: South Korea, which confirmed its first circumstances of the variant on Wednesday, has halted quarantine exemptions for absolutely vaccinated inbound travellers for 2 weeks as every day coronavirus case numbers rose to a brand new excessive.
Indonesia: The island nation has tightened border curbs, prolonged quarantine and restricted motion on strategic toll roads in a preemptive transfer to restrict the unfold of the Omicron variant.
France: All travellers, regardless of vaccination standing, are required to current a damaging Covid-19 certificates to enter France from outdoors the European Union or Schengen zone. The check ought to have been taken inside 48 hours of departure.  Lithuania, Finland and Czechia too have applied comparable measures. The European Union, in the meantime, has proposed widespread every day critiques of restrictions for all member states.
Denmark: Travellers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are required to both self-isolate for 10 days or current two damaging Covid-19 exams taken on Day 4 and Day 6.
United Kingdom: Travellers have to take a compulsory RT-PCR check inside 48 hours of arrival within the nation. They ought to isolate until the outcomes are out. The guidelines are stricter for members of 10 southern African nations which have been added to the nation’s pink listing.
Canada: Canada too have restricted journey from 10 south African nations particularly Nigeria, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. All travellers to Canada, besides these from the US, should be examined on arrival and isolate till the outcomes are made accessible.
Australia: The nation has banned flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, The Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique
Hong Kong: It has put collectively a listing of 16 high-risk nations, together with Canada and Australia, which implies that no non-citizens from these nations shall be allowed into the area. Citizens, in the meantime, might want to bear a 21-day quarantine.
Singapore: All incoming and transiting air travellers should take a check earlier than departure and one other one on arrival.

Japan: Japan reversed on Thursday a ban on new inbound flight reservations. However, all foreigner entrants and residents arriving from 10 African nations have been banned entry. The 10 nations are Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
New Zealand: The nation is but to document any omicron covid-19 circumstances, and can ease into a brand new “traffic light system” from Friday. This entails areas being put into pink, orange and inexperienced zones relying on vaccination charges and Covid-19 circumstances. It additionally launched contemporary border measures for travellers from 9 southern African nations on the weekend, asserting that solely residents of New Zealand from these nations may journey to New Zealand and even these must keep in state quarantine for 14 days.
(With inputs from Reuters and AP)