Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?
3 years, 1 month ago

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?

Associated Press  

A new coronavirus variant identified in southern 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 other travel restrictions. “Travel restrictions can delay but not prevent the spread of a highly transmissible variant,” he said. Johns Hopkins University infectious disease specialist Dr. Amesh Adalja says the travel restrictions only give the public a false sense of security and should stop being the “knee-jerk” reaction by public officials. “We may be at an earlier point with this new variant so there may still be time to do something about it.” However, Barrett said harsh restrictions would be counter-productive and that the South African officials should not be punished for alerting the world to the new variant.

Travel Africa World Travel Restrictions South Africa Countries Virus Restrictions Variant  restrictions  variants  virus  travel  emerges  countries  africa  university  help  flight  variant  world  spread  health

History of this topic

China announces optimization of COVID-19 rules
2 years, 1 month ago

China announces optimization of COVID-19 rules

China Daily  

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated :2022-11-15 File photo: A customs officer checks passengers' health information at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. Yin Liqin/China News Service China will cut COVID-19 quarantine period for incoming travelers from 10 to 8 days, cancel the circuit breaker for inbound flights and no longer determine secondary close contacts of confirmed cases, health authorities said on Friday. According to …

As COVID curbs are lifted, experts call for clear messaging
2 years, 10 months ago

As COVID curbs are lifted, experts call for clear messaging

Al Jazeera  

The Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom are among several countries which have announced plans to lift the majority of COVID restrictions, despite the continuing spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant. The raft of announcements, including plans to scrap COVID self-isolation for those who test positive in England and an end to social distancing rules in …

Biden confirms end of Omicron travel curbs for African nations
3 years ago

Biden confirms end of Omicron travel curbs for African nations

Al Jazeera  

US president says restrictions are ‘no longer necessary’, as new COVID-19 variant becomes dominant strain. US President Joe Biden has formally ordered an end to travel restrictions on eight southern African countries imposed last month to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, saying that the curbs are “no longer necessary to protect the public health”. The Biden administration …

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. …

South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge
3 years ago

South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge

Al Jazeera  

Health officials say fewer coronavirus patients require hospitalisation despite a rise in the number of COVID-19 infections. COVID-19 infection rates are soaring across South Africa as a result of the highly mutated Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but fewer people have died or required hospital treatment compared with previous waves of the disease, according to health officials. The discovery of …

Opinion: Why travel restrictions are a bad idea
3 years, 1 month 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 …

What we know, and do not know, about Omicron variant | In Focus podcast
3 years, 1 month ago

What we know, and do not know, about Omicron variant | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

There is much that is still unknown about Omicron, the newest Sars-CoV-2 variant, that has been designated as a 'variant of concern' by the World Health Organisation. In response, several countries have begun imposing travel restrictions and closing borders, similar to what we saw happening last year, during the initial waves of the pandemic. Omicron is a heavily mutated strain, …

Omicron travel bans harming global cooperation, WHO warns
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

The Omicron variant is starting to weigh on travel: ‘Two steps forward and one step back’
3 years, 1 month ago

The Omicron variant is starting to weigh on travel: ‘Two steps forward and one step back’

LA Times  

New travel restrictions are taking hold in Japan and other countries because of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. “It’s like we are taking two steps forward and one step back,” he said Tuesday at an airline expo in Long Beach that drew 1,300 in-person attendees. In response to the variant, the U.S. on Nov. 26 announced a temporary halt …

WHO warns that new virus variant poses ‘very high’ risk
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO warns that new virus variant poses ‘very high’ risk

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization warned Monday that the global risk from the omicron variant is “very high” based on the early evidence, saying the mutated coronavirus could lead to surges with “severe consequences.” The assessment from the U.N. health agency, contained in a technical paper issued to member states, amounted to WHO’s strongest, most explicit warning yet about …

Omicron Covid variant: Curbs from Japan to Spain wreak havoc on air travel
3 years, 1 month ago

Omicron Covid variant: Curbs from Japan to Spain wreak havoc on air travel

Hindustan Times  

Airlines, passengers and businesses had to respond to a deluge of travel restrictions introduced to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Omicron Covid variant: Curbs from Japan to Spain wreak havoc on air travel An initial spate of flight bans from southern Africa, where Omicron was first detected, gave way to wider-ranging measures that will make travel more …

WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries
3 years, 1 month 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: WHO warns COVID variant risk ‘very high’
3 years, 1 month ago

Omicron: WHO warns COVID variant risk ‘very high’

Al Jazeera  

UN agency says based on early evidence there was a possibility of new surges that could lead to ‘severe consequences’. 29 Nov 2021 - 17:07 GMT UN’s Guterres ‘deeply concerned’ by curbs on Southern Africa UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was “deeply concerned” as countries around the world imposed travel restrictions on Southern Africa in an attempt …

On news of the omicron variant, countries block flights from African countries
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Travel curbs tightened globally as more Omicron cases pop up, WHO says unsure if it's more contagious
3 years, 1 month ago

Travel curbs tightened globally as more Omicron cases pop up, WHO says unsure if it's more contagious

India Today  

The detection of the new Omicron variant coronavirus has posed a new challenge globally. SOUTH AFRICA TO REMAIN ON LOWEST LOCKDOWN LEVEL South Africa will remain on the lowest 'Level One' of its five-level lockdown strategy to fight the Covid-19 pandemic despite the global panic around the detection of the Omicron variant in the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on …

WHO says new coronavirus variant poses ‘very high’ risk of global infection surges
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO says new coronavirus variant poses ‘very high’ risk of global infection surges

LA Times  

Countries around the world struggled to come to terms with a bleak new turn in the nearly 2-year-old pandemic, with the World Health Organization warning Monday that Omicron, a highly mutated variant of the coronavirus, poses a “very high” global risk of new outbreaks. The variant’s emergence “underlines just how perilous and precarious our situation is,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom …

COVID-19 | WHO says it is not yet clear if Omicron variant causes more severe disease
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 | WHO says it is not yet clear if Omicron variant causes more severe disease

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization said on Sunday that it is not yet clear if the new Omicron coronavirus variant is more transmissible compared to other SARS-CoV-2 variants or if it causes more severe disease. "Initial reported infections were among university studies—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease — but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant …

Israel tightens travel restrictions over new COVID variant
3 years, 1 month ago

Israel tightens travel restrictions over new COVID variant

Associated Press  

JERUSALEM — Israel on Sunday approved barring entry to foreign nationals and the use of controversial technology for contact tracing as part of its efforts to clamp down on a new coronavirus variant. It also approved use of the Shin Bet internal security agency’s controversial phone monitoring technology to perform contact tracing of individuals confirmed with the new omicron variant …

Being 'punished' for early detecting new COVID-19 variant Omicron: South Africa
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Coronavirus updates | November 28, 2021
3 years, 1 month ago

Coronavirus updates | November 28, 2021

The Hindu  

The Netherlands confirmed 13 cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus on Sunday and Australia found two as the countries half a world apart became the latest to detect it in travelers arriving from southern Africa. - PTI National Government to review decision on restarting international flights, SOP for incoming passengers The government on Sunday decided to review …

South African authorities mulling Covid-19 shots compulsory for certain places, activities
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

South African president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans
3 years, 1 month 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.” …

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?
3 years, 1 month ago

Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges?

Live Mint  

A new coronavirus variant identified in southern 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 other travel restrictions. …

Explained: Will flight restrictions help as new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' emerges?
3 years, 1 month ago

Explained: Will flight restrictions help as new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' emerges?

Firstpost  

Some say at best the restrictions can buy time for new public health measures to be put in place. 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 other travel restrictions. “Travel restrictions can delay but not …

World races to contain new COVID threat, the omicron variant
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

US to ban travel from South Africa, 7 other African nations amid new COVID variant
3 years, 1 month ago

US to ban travel from South Africa, 7 other African nations amid new COVID variant

India TV News  

Highlights The US will restrict travel from South Africa and 7 other countries in the region beginning Monday. The United States joined the European Union and several other countries in instituting travel restrictions on visitors from southern Africa after discovery of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus that has stoked world fears and triggered widespread travel bans. The White …

'Some reactions actually unjustified': South Africa over travel ban by nations amid new COVID variant 'Omicron
3 years, 1 month ago

'Some reactions actually unjustified': South Africa over travel ban by nations amid new COVID variant 'Omicron

India TV News  

Highlights WHO has named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 as 'Omicron Several nations have already announced a ban on travellers from South Africa India has also said travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in the country As several countries have decided to impose restrictions on travellers from South Africa amid concerns over the detection of the 'Omicron' …

How worrying is the new Omicron coronavirus variant?
3 years, 1 month ago

How worrying is the new Omicron coronavirus variant?

Al Jazeera  

The world faces yet another variant ‘of concern’, nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as the world was starting to show signs of recovery from the pandemic, a new coronavirus variant called Omicron has been identified. Many countries have banned or restricted flights from southern Africa, after South African scientists announced the discovery of the new variant. Presenter: …

Travel bans over new 'Omicron' coronavirus variant are unjustified, says South Africa
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Will Flight Restrictions Help Prevent New COVID-19 Variant Spread?
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

Oil plunges 10% on new coronavirus variant concerns
3 years, 1 month ago

Oil plunges 10% on new coronavirus variant concerns

Live Mint  

Oil prices plunged more than 10% on Friday, the largest one-day drop since April 2020, as a new COVID-19 variant spooked investors and added to concerns that a supply surplus could swell in the first quarter. Global authorities reacted with alarm on Friday to a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, with the European Union and Britain among those …

Omicron: All about 'highly transmissible' South Africa Covid variant that has put India on alert
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

COVID-19: Israel reports its first case of new coronavirus variant
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19: Israel reports its first case of new coronavirus variant

India TV News  

Highlights Israel has reported the country's first case of a new coronavirus variant. A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern. Israel has reported the country's first case of a new coronavirus variant in a traveler who returned from Malawi, the Israeli Health Ministry informed on Friday. A new coronavirus variant has …

Israel bans entry from 7 African countries due to new Covid variant
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Frequent mutations, rapid spread: All about the new coronavirus variant in South Africa
3 years, 1 month ago

Frequent mutations, rapid spread: All about the new coronavirus variant in South Africa

Hindustan Times  

A new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa's most populous Guanteng district has sent governments around the world in a state of high alert – especially in view of the fact that the variant, according to infectious diseases experts, displays a high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people. The new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, currently …

South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations'
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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 …

The EU wants to stop flights from southern Africa over a new COVID variant
3 years, 1 month ago

The EU wants to stop flights from southern Africa over a new COVID variant

NPR  

The EU wants to stop flights from southern Africa over a new COVID variant Enlarge this image toggle caption Denis Farrell/AP Denis Farrell/AP BRUSSELS — The European Union said Friday it is planning to stop air travel from southern Africa to counter the spread of a new COVID-19 variant as the 27-nation bloc is battling a massive spike in cases. …

WHO classifies new COVID variant as ‘of concern’
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO classifies new COVID variant as ‘of concern’

Al Jazeera  

The World Health Organization names new coronavirus variant Omicron and designates it as a ‘variant of concern’. WHO has named it Omicron, in line with naming protocols https://t.co/bSbVas9yds pic.twitter.com/Gev1zIt1Ek — World Health Organization November 26, 2021 26 Nov 2021 - 17:59 GMT South African official says WHO will designate variant as “of concern” A senior South African health official said …

WHO designates new COVID strain Omicron as ‘variant of concern’
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO designates new COVID strain Omicron as ‘variant of concern’

Al Jazeera  

The World Health Organization has designated a new coronavirus strain detected in South Africa as a “variant of concern”, prompting countries around the world to impose travel restrictions amid fears over its potential spread. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID-19 Technical Lead, said on Friday that Omicron was designated as a “variant of concern” because it has some “worrying” properties. …

U.S. to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South Africa
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Discover Related