What is Omicron Variant and how did affect the different countries?

What is Omicron Variant and how did affect the different countries? On November 24, 2021, scientists in South Africa reported a new coronavirus variant with a higher number of mutations than were found in other variants. Two days later, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the new variant, dubbed Omicron, was a variant of concern (VOC).

The announcement led many countries to impose travel restrictions.

What are mutations?

All viruses mutate, and the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has continued to mutate since it emerged in late 2019. A mutation is a change in a virus’s genetic code, and a mutated virus is known as a variant.

Some coronavirus variants spread more easily than others, which can lead to increases in the rate of infection. A surge in infections can put additional strain on healthcare resources, potentially leading to more hospitalizations and deaths.

Johnson & Johnson testing effectiveness of its Covid-19 vaccine against new Omicron variant

Vaccine maker Johnson and Johnson is testing the effectiveness of its Covid-19 vaccine against the new Omicron coronavirus variant, the company said Friday.

“We are closely monitoring newly emerging Covid-19 virus strains with variations in the Sars-CoV-2 spike protein and are already testing the effectiveness of our vaccine against the new and rapidly spreading variant first detected in Southern Africa,” Clare Boyle, a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson, told in a new report.

Australia bans entry to foreigners who have traveled to 9 countries in southern Africa

Australia is banning the entry of foreign citizens who have traveled to nine southern African countries in the previous 14 days over concerns of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant. 

The nine countries include South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a news conference on Saturday.

Australian citizens, though allowed into Australia, will have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival, Hunt added. 

“We’ll just note that there are 20 people in quarantine in Howard Springs in the Northern Territory who’ve arrived from South Africa in the last week,” he said, noting the country is prepared to strengthen existing rules if the situation changes. 

No cases of the Omicron variant have yet been identified in Australia, and there are no direct flights from the areas of concern to the country. But some travelers have flown into quarantine-free areas from South Africa over the past two weeks and the Australian government is now chasing them up to conduct Covid tests. What is Omicron Virant and how did affect the different countries?

CDC says no cases of Omicron have been identified in the US

No cases of the new Omicron variant have yet been identified in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a statement Friday, the CDC said any cases would be identified quickly through the nation’s variant surveillance system.

“We are working with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners to learn more about this variant, as we continue to monitor its path,” the statement said.
“CDC is continuously monitoring variants and the U.S. variant surveillance system has reliably detected new variants in this country. We expect Omicron to be identified quickly if it emerges in the U.S.,” it added.

The agency recommends people follow prevention strategies such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing their hands frequently, and physically distancing from others. 

It also recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from Covid-19 by getting fully vaccinated, and encourages a booster dose for those who are eligible.  

White House releases official proclamation on travel restrictions

President Biden has signed the official proclamation restricting travel from southern Africa that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday.

The proclamation will apply to those who have been “physically present” in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe during the “14-day period preceding their entry, or attempted entry into the United States.”

The proclamation includes a list of those exempted from the new restrictions including citizens, lawful permanent residents, and noncitizens who are the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident.

The order will remain in effect until terminated by the President and will not apply to any flights scheduled to arrive in the US that departed prior to 12:01 a.m. ET Monday.

Brazil joins list of countries restricting flights from southern Africa in response to Omicron

Brazil said it will close its air borders with six African countries from Nov. 29 in response to the Omicron variant, according to the presidential chief of staff Ciro Nogueira.

Nogueira tweeted that passengers arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, will be prevented from entering the country to “protect Brazilians.” 

He said the decision was agreed to by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Health Ministry, and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had previously stated he would not support such border closures. 

When asked about potential flight bans earlier on Friday, Bolsonaro said, “It won’t stop, boy, what is this madness? Will the virus not enter if you close the airport? It’s (the new strain) already in here. You have to learn to live with the virus.” 

United Airlines will not stop service to Africa, moving ahead with seasonal service

United says it will not scale back its Africa service due to the new covid variant — and is moving ahead with new and seasonal service to the continent. 

According to CNN Delta will continue its service to South Africa, too.

“United continues to monitor how the new 212(f) travel restrictions to Africa may impact demand and remains committed to maintaining a safe and vital link for essential supplies and personnel to transit between the African continent and the United States as feasible. We don’t have any adjustments to our schedule at this time,” the airline said in a statement.

Brazil joins list of countries restricting flights from southern Africa in response to Omicron

Brazil said it will close its air borders with six African countries from Nov. 29 in response to the Omicron variant, according to the presidential chief of staff Ciro Nogueira.

Nogueira tweeted that passengers arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe, will be prevented from entering the country to “protect Brazilians.” 

He said the decision was agreed to by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Health Ministry, and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had previously stated he would not support such border closures. 

When asked about potential flight bans earlier on Friday, Bolsonaro said, “It won’t stop, boy, what is this madness? Will the virus not enter if you close the airport? It’s (the new strain) already in here. You have to learn to live with the virus.”