'Being punished' for detecting new COVID-19 variant Omicron, says South Africa as several countries impose travel ban
3 years ago

'Being punished' for detecting new COVID-19 variant Omicron, says South Africa as several countries impose travel ban

Firstpost  

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation in a statement urged world leaders not to implement knee-jerk policy decisions in response to the detection of the Omicron variant Johannesburg: South Africa on Saturday said it was being “punished” for its advanced ability to detect new COVID-19 variants early, as several countries imposed travel ban on it due to the new potentially highly-transmissible Omicron variant, first detected here. 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. Foreign minister Naledi Pandor also slammed the UK and other countries for their move to impose travel ban on South Africa. The new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, first detected in South Africa this week, was on Friday designated as a ‘Variant of Concern’ by the World Health Organisation, which named it Omicron.

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History of this topic

US to lift omicron-linked travel ban on southern Africa
3 years ago

US to lift omicron-linked travel ban on southern Africa

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will lift travel restrictions on eight southern African countries that it imposed to try to blunt the spread of the COVID omicron variant, the White House announced Friday. Munoz said the temporary travel bans bought scientists necessary time to study the new virus variant and conclude that the current vaccinations are effective in blunting its impact. …

US to lift COVID travel restrictions on Southern African nations
3 years ago

US to lift COVID travel restrictions on Southern African nations

Al Jazeera  

US ban imposed over Omicron fears applied to eight African countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The United States will lift restrictions on travellers from Southern African nations, imposed last month amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a Biden administration official has announced. “The restrictions gave us time to understand Omicron and we know our …

Omicron scare: Why restrictions on southern African countries are being called ‘travel apartheid’
3 years ago

Omicron scare: Why restrictions on southern African countries are being called ‘travel apartheid’

Firstpost  

Last week, South African president Cypril Ramaphosa said the curbs are punishing the very people and governments that helped inform the world of a new coronavirus variant Travel restrictions on nations in southern Africa – where Omicron was first identified – by dozens of countries, including the United States and Britain are being called “travel apartheid”. The term ‘travel apartheid’ …

Opinion: I want my mom to see her grandkids for Christmas. Travel bans make it tough
3 years ago

Opinion: I want my mom to see her grandkids for Christmas. Travel bans make it tough

NPR  

Opinion: I want my mom to see her grandkids for Christmas. Travel bans make it tough Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa Last month, I flew from Lusaka, Zambia — my homeland — back to Washington, D.C., where I now work. Since the variant was first detected in Botswana and South Africa, several nations have …

Opinion: I'm shocked by the racist cartoons and travel bans sparked by omicron
3 years ago

Opinion: I'm shocked by the racist cartoons and travel bans sparked by omicron

NPR  

Opinion: I'm shocked by the racist cartoons and travel bans sparked by omicron Enlarge this image toggle caption Screenshot by NPR Screenshot by NPR Editor's Note: Warning, some of these images contain racist and offensive content. Part of me can't believe that editors reviewed and approved and published racist headlines and cartoons about the highly contagious omicron variant, first detected …

Anger simmers over Omicron travel bans in southern Africa
3 years ago

Anger simmers over Omicron travel bans in southern Africa

CNN  

CNN — African leaders are hitting back against travel bans imposed over the Omicron variant, accusing wealthy countries of being hypocrites for delivering new restrictions instead of the vaccine doses the continent desperately needs. “We are all concerned about the new Covid variant and owe South Africa’s scientists our thanks for identifying it before anyone else did,” Malawi’s President Lazarus …

Opinion: Why travel restrictions are a bad idea
3 years ago

Opinion: Why travel restrictions are a bad idea

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Alane Izu is a senior statistician at the University of the Witwatersrand Vaccine and Infectious Disease Research Unit. Alane Izu Courtesy of WITS VIDA Shabir Madhi Courtsey of Shabir Madhi Two days after news of Omicron’s existence was announced, after it had also been detected in Hong Kong and Botswana, the UK issued a travel ban on all …

Omicron travel bans harming global cooperation, WHO warns
3 years ago

Omicron travel bans harming global cooperation, WHO warns

Al Jazeera  

UN warns travel bans are hindering the sharing of samples from South Africa that could shed light on the new variant. Guterres said countries that had reported the emergence of the new strain should not “be collectively punished for identifying and sharing crucial science and health information with the world.” 1 Dec 2021 - 18:49 GMT Passengers from Doha or …

'Keep out': How much time can travel bans buy us against Omicron?
3 years ago

'Keep out': How much time can travel bans buy us against Omicron?

India Today  

The Omicron mutant strain is quickly spreading to various continents across the globe. Countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom and European union nations have imposed strict travel bans, US and UK have cancelled flights coming from South Africa after several cases of the Omicron strain were reported by the country. TRAVEL BAN STILL DEBATABLE IN INDIA …

Map: Tracking global Omicron travel restrictions
3 years ago

Map: Tracking global Omicron travel restrictions

Al Jazeera  

More than 30 countries have imposed travel bans following the spread of the Omicron coronavirus mutation. Partial bans Angola – Angola announced it will close its borders with countries in southern Africa including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe until January 5. Kuwait – Kuwait halted direct flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, …

African leaders condemn travel restrictions as omicron variant spreads globally
3 years ago

African leaders condemn travel restrictions as omicron variant spreads globally

NPR  

African leaders condemn travel restrictions as omicron variant spreads globally Enlarge this image toggle caption Tobias Schwarz/Reuters Tobias Schwarz/Reuters African leaders are pushing back on travel bans imposed by wealthy or Western nations in an effort to stop the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant — and expressing their anger that the result of South Africa's openness in sharing …

WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries
3 years ago

WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries

India TV News  

Highlights The WHO has urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the restrictions “completely unjustified.” The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant. “WHO stands with African …

Omicron variant: South Africa calls for immediate end to travel ban; to remain on lowest lockdown level
3 years ago

Omicron variant: South Africa calls for immediate end to travel ban; to remain on lowest lockdown level

India TV News  

Highlights Commenting on the travel ban, Ramaphosa called for an immediate reversal of the ban The Omicron variant was identified in South Africa earlier this week A “variant of concern” is the WHO's top category of worrying COVID-19 variants South Africa will remain on the lowest 'Level One' of its five-level lockdown strategy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic despite the …

The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads
3 years ago

The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads

NPR  

The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images The U.S. is enacting travel bans in an effort to limit the spread of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, which the World Health Organization warns poses a "very high" global risk. Starting …

On news of the omicron variant, countries block flights from African countries
3 years ago

On news of the omicron variant, countries block flights from African countries

NPR  

On news of the omicron variant, countries block flights from African countries NPR's Noel King talks to Dr. Margaret Harris of the World Health Organization about the omicron variant, why the WHO labeled it a variant of concern and if travel bans are successful. Another big question, Doctor, is whether this particular variant is going to make people sicker or …

Scale up supplies: The Hindu Editorial on Omicron variant and the need to scale up vaccine supply
3 years ago

Scale up supplies: The Hindu Editorial on Omicron variant and the need to scale up vaccine supply

The Hindu  

A new Greek tragedy has risen with the World Health Organization designating Omicron, a SARS-CoV-2 variant, as a ‘variant of concern’. While it took WHO several weeks to designate older VOCs such as Alpha, Beta and Delta as a VOC when they emerged, in the case of Omicron, which was first confirmed in Botswana, it moved without even waiting for …

Being 'punished' for early detecting new COVID-19 variant Omicron: South Africa
3 years ago

Being 'punished' for early detecting new COVID-19 variant Omicron: South Africa

The Hindu  

South Africa on November 27 said it was being "punished" for its advanced ability to detect new COVID-19 variants early, as several countries imposed travel ban on it due to the new potentially highly-transmissible Omicron variant, first detected here. The latest round of travel bans is "akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to …

‘Absolute chaos’ in South Africa as flights grounded over Omicron
3 years ago

‘Absolute chaos’ in South Africa as flights grounded over Omicron

Al Jazeera  

Johannesburg, South Africa – Disbelief and confusion washed over South Africa as the announcement of the discovery of the Omicron COVID-19 variant grounded flights and raised fears of a hard lockdown in Africa’s most developed economy. The virus has already found its way into these societies from individuals that haven’t even travelled to or come into contact with anyone from …

South African authorities mulling Covid-19 shots compulsory for certain places, activities
3 years ago

South African authorities mulling Covid-19 shots compulsory for certain places, activities

India Today  

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that authorities were considering making Covid-19 shots compulsory for certain places and activities, as a rise in infections linked to a new variant threatens to become a fourth wave. Kenya's government last week issued a directive that residents must show proof of vaccination by December 21 to access services, making it one …

Travel ban not a solution to curb Omicron variant spread? Here's what experts suggest countries should do
3 years ago

Travel ban not a solution to curb Omicron variant spread? Here's what experts suggest countries should do

India Today  

After the World Health Organisation classified B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern and named it Omicron, countries across the globe rushed to impose travel bans on nations such as South Africa and Botswana where cases of the new variant have been detected. Speaking to India Today, Dr Saumitra Das said the Indian government must take policy decisions to restrict the …

UK and Germany confirm first Omicron cases as Europe prepares for spread of new COVID variant
3 years ago

UK and Germany confirm first Omicron cases as Europe prepares for spread of new COVID variant

ABC  

Omicron cases have been detected in Britain and Germany, and the Czech Republic is investigating probable infections as the world scrambles to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variant. Key points: New suspected Omicron cases are detected in Germany and the Czech Republic Dutch authorities check on 61 travellers who arrive from South Africa after testing positive for COVID …

South African president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans
3 years ago

South African president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans

Al Jazeera  

Cyril Ramaphosa says travel restrictions ‘scientifically unjustified’ as more countries report cases of new, highly mutated variant. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on countries to “urgently” reverse “scientifically unjustified” travel restrictions linked to the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus. “These restrictions are unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country and our southern African sister countries.” …

New COVID-19 Omicron variant in 'fluid motion'; in 'very active' communication with South Africa colleagues, says Dr Anthony Fauci
3 years ago

New COVID-19 Omicron variant in 'fluid motion'; in 'very active' communication with South Africa colleagues, says Dr Anthony Fauci

Firstpost  

The new potentially more contagious B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to the World Health Organisation from South Africa on November 24, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel Washington: America’s top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has said that the new COVID-19 Omicron variant is in “fluid motion” in South Africa and the US …

World races to contain new COVID threat, the omicron variant
3 years ago

World races to contain new COVID threat, the omicron variant

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world raced Friday to contain a new coronavirus variant potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled relentless waves of infection on nearly every continent. “The last thing we need is to bring in a new variant that will cause even more problems,” German Health Minister Jens Spahn said. …

World races to contain new COVID threat - the Omicron variant
3 years ago

World races to contain new COVID threat - the Omicron variant

India TV News  

Highlights The WHO has named the variant “omicron” and classified it as a highly transmissible virus of concern People who contracted COVID-19 and recovered could be subject to catching it again Omicron has now been seen in travelers to Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel and in southern Africa Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world raced Friday to contain …

Travel bans over new 'Omicron' coronavirus variant are unjustified, says South Africa
3 years ago

Travel bans over new 'Omicron' coronavirus variant are unjustified, says South Africa

India Today  

South Africa said on Friday that imposing restrictions on travellers from the country because of a newly identified Covid-19 variant was unjustified, after a British ban on flights from southern African countries that others have followed. Health Minister Joe Phaahla told a media briefing that South Africa was acting with transparency and travel bans were against the norms and standards …

Markets down over fears of new restrictions as countries react to new Covid strain
3 years ago

Markets down over fears of new restrictions as countries react to new Covid strain

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A …

Will Flight Restrictions Help Prevent New COVID-19 Variant Spread?
3 years ago

Will Flight Restrictions Help Prevent New COVID-19 Variant Spread?

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease. But the World Health Organization has called it a “variant of concern” and governments around the world are not waiting for scientists to better understand the variant to impose flight bans and …

COVID-19: New variant from South Africa sends panic waves across the world | Key developments
3 years ago

COVID-19: New variant from South Africa sends panic waves across the world | Key developments

India TV News  

Highlights The U.K. banned flights from South Africa and five other southern African countries Fauci said U.S. public health officials were talking Friday with South African colleagues. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said flights will have to “be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant, and travelers returning from this …

Omicron: All about 'highly transmissible' South Africa Covid variant that has put India on alert
3 years ago

Omicron: All about 'highly transmissible' South Africa Covid variant that has put India on alert

India TV News  

Highlights The detection of the new Covid variant has put many countries, including India, on high alert UK, Germany and Italy bans travel from South Africa to contain spread of new Covid variant The new variant has not been found in India so far Omicron Covid Variant: Amid COVID-19 third wave scare, a new variant of novel coronavirus 'Omicron' has …

European Union may ban flights from Africa amid new Covid-19 variant concerns
3 years ago

European Union may ban flights from Africa amid new Covid-19 variant concerns

India TV News  

Highlights France suspends all flights coming from southern Africa for 48 hours The new variant has been identified as B.1.1.529. South Africa has reported 6 cases A fourth spike of the coronavirus is hitting the 27-nation EU especially badly The European Union's executive said on Friday it wants to stop air travel from southern Africa to counter the spread of …

From Singapore, Germany to Britain, new coronavirus variant sparks Africa travel curbs
3 years ago

From Singapore, Germany to Britain, new coronavirus variant sparks Africa travel curbs

Firstpost  

Governments across the world are scrambling to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 variant — B.1.1.529 — which has a large number of mutations A new variant of COVID-19 is around the corner and the world is huddling to deal with it. On Thursday, a new coronavirus variant — B.1.1.529 — with a large number of mutations first was …

Israel bans entry from 7 African countries due to new Covid variant
3 years ago

Israel bans entry from 7 African countries due to new Covid variant

India TV News  

Highlights Israel has announced a ban on entry of travellers from seven African countries. Scientists in South Africa detected the new COVID variant and are still studying its implications. Israel has announced a ban on entry of travellers from seven African countries, after a new Covid-19 variant was detected in South Africa. Amid reports of the heavily mutated variant known …

South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations'
3 years ago

South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The United States and the European Union joined the United Kingdom and other nations on Friday to restrict air travel from the southern region of Africa due to fears over a new variant of the coronavirus found in South Africa. The US must find out if its vaccines respond to the new Covid-19 variant detected in South …

Countries restrict travel from southern Africa over COVID variant
3 years ago

Countries restrict travel from southern Africa over COVID variant

Al Jazeera  

Countries introduce restrictions on travellers from southern Africa amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Israel and Singapore, have imposed travel restrictions after the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa. Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, reporting from Johannesburg, said “southern African countries depend on tourism and trade” and the new …

‘Finding scapegoats’: S Africa slams ‘unjustified’ travel bans
3 years ago

‘Finding scapegoats’: S Africa slams ‘unjustified’ travel bans

Al Jazeera  

South African health minister says move by countries imposing restrictions on it because of a newly identified coronavirus variant is draconian. “Unjustified”, “draconian” and “counterproductive” – these are just some of words used by South Africa’s health minister as he criticised countries around the world that decided to restrict travel from the country and its neighbours in an attempt to …

What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?
3 years ago

What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?

LA Times  

After a new COVID variant was detected by South African scientists, the World Health Organization names it Omicron and identifies it as a variant of concern. Health minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an “exponential rise” of cases in the last few days, although experts are still trying to determine whether the new variant is actually responsible. …

U.S. to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries
3 years ago

U.S. to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries

LA Times  

People line up for an overseas flight at O.R. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said flights will have to “be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant, and travelers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules.” She warned that “mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of …

Biden calls for intellectual property waivers on COVID vaccines
3 years ago

Biden calls for intellectual property waivers on COVID vaccines

Al Jazeera  

World Trade Organization negotiations over waivers are currently deadlocked amid opposition by some wealthy nations. US President Joe Biden has called on countries attending a World Trade Organization meeting next week to waive intellectual property protections on coronavirus vaccines, as international concern is rising over a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa. Concerns about the new variant’s potential spread …

Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South Africa
3 years ago

Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South Africa

Live Mint  

Britain on Thursday said it was concerned by a newly identified coronavirus variant spreading in South Africa that might make vaccines less effective and imperil efforts to fight the pandemic. The UK Health Security Agency said the variant, which is called B.1.1.529, has a spike protein that was dramatically different to the one in the original coronavirus that COVID-19 vaccines …

Britain raises alarm over new Covid-19 variant found in South Africa which could beat vaccines
3 years, 1 month ago

Britain raises alarm over new Covid-19 variant found in South Africa which could beat vaccines

India Today  

Britain on Thursday said it was concerned by a newly identified coronavirus variant spreading in South Africa that might make vaccines less effective and imperil efforts to fight the pandemic. READ: Covid-19: Centre sounds alert over new coronavirus variant found in South Africa | 5 things you need to know The variant was first identified at the start of this …

Biden reinstates US COVID travel restrictions, adds South Africa
3 years, 11 months ago

Biden reinstates US COVID travel restrictions, adds South Africa

Al Jazeera  

The new US president is taking a more aggressive approach to COVID-19 with more than 25 million Americans now confirmed with the virus. US President Joe Biden will reinstate a ban on most non-US citizens entering the country, including people from Brazil and the United Kingdom where new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus have emerged in recent months, and …

US requires tests for UK flyers on worry over Covid variant
3 years, 11 months ago

US requires tests for UK flyers on worry over Covid variant

Hindustan Times  

-- The US will require passengers flying from the UK to show proof of a negative test for coronavirus, amid rising concerns over a more-contagious Covid-19 strain that is spreading after first emerging in England. A new virus variant that was detected in the UK has a mutation occurring at a site common with the South African strain, known as …

South Africa rejects UK claims over new coronavirus variant
4 years ago

South Africa rejects UK claims over new coronavirus variant

Hindustan Times  

South Africa’s government rejected allegations that a new variant of the coronavirus found in the country has contributed to a second wave of infections in the UK and criticized its decision to impose travel restrictions. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that flights from South Africa will be banned and that anyone who’s been there in the past two weeks …

South Africa Rejects Claim That its Coronavirus Variant is More Dangerous Than UK Strain
4 years ago

South Africa Rejects Claim That its Coronavirus Variant is More Dangerous Than UK Strain

News 18  

South Africa’s health minister has rejected his British counterpart’s claim that a new coronavirus variant in the country is more contagious or dangerous than a similar one in spreading the UK. “At present, there is no evidence that the 501.V2 is more transmissible than the United Kingdom variant — as suggested by the British Health Secretary,” Zwelini Mkhize said in …

Mutated COVID-19 variant from South Africa found in United Kingdom, Health Minister says
4 years ago

Mutated COVID-19 variant from South Africa found in United Kingdom, Health Minister says

ABC  

Britain will halt flights and arrivals from South Africa after a potentially more infectious variant of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spread to the United Kingdom. Key points: This is the second mutant strain detected in the UK in recent weeks The UK imposed immediate restrictions on travel from South Africa Countries around the world have closed their borders …

UK to widen COVID lockdowns as new strain from South Africa found
4 years ago

UK to widen COVID lockdowns as new strain from South Africa found

Al Jazeera  

Health minister announces restrictions on passengers travelling from South Africa while adding new curbs across England. A new, potentially more infectious variant of the novel coronavirus has been found in the United Kingdom in cases linked to South Africa, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said while also announcing further swaths of England would be placed under its strictest COVID-19 restrictions. …

New Covid variant 'out of control' in UK: More countries ban flights, trains and ferries from Britain
4 years ago

New Covid variant 'out of control' in UK: More countries ban flights, trains and ferries from Britain

India TV News  

A growing list of European Union nations and Canada barred travel from the U.K. on Sunday and others were considering similar action, in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from spreading to the continent. 'New variant out of control' On Sunday, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock added to the alarm when he said …

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