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A brand new COVID-19 variant—which the WHO has known as Omicron—is inflicting panic among the many journey trade, creating journey restrictions, and shutting borders.
The United Kingdom says the COVID-19 variant is probably the most vital variant discovered and known as the journey restrictions “a huge international concern.”
The CDC says they want more data on the brand new COVID-19 variant however have already banned entry into the U.S. from 8 international locations. However, authorities discovered the primary European case of the brand new variant in Belgium at present.
The New Variant
Although there may be nonetheless little information on the brand new variant, scientists imagine the B.1.1.529 variant began in South Africa earlier than spreading round elements of Africa, Hong Kong, and now Belgium.
Scientists are worried as a result of the variant has over 30 mutations on its spike protein, which is the important thing used to unlock our physique’s cells. That’s greater than double the variety of the Delta variant.
As a consequence, scientists are involved the brand new variant—which differs utterly from the variant present in Wuhan nearly two years in the past—could evade the vaccines.
Scientists recommend, based mostly on earlier proof, the variant could possibly be extra more likely to infect and reinfect folks with immunity to earlier variants.
Prof James Naismith, Director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute at Oxford University, stated, “It’s bad news, but it’s not doomsday”.
The New Travel Restrictions
As the information of the brand new variant spreads worldwide, journey restrictions are rising. It’s a devastating blow to the journey trade, which had hoped for a pointy restoration this winter till spiraling circumstances in Europe and the emergence of the brand new variant.
The following nations have already positioned a ban or restrictions on journey from a lot of southern Africa:
Italy
Italy announced measures to ban entry into Italy for vacationers coming from the next international locations:
- South Africa
- Lesotho
- Botswana
- Zimbabwe
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Eswatini
Germany
Germany Health Minister, Jens Spahn, said airways arriving from South Africa will solely be capable of transport German residents residence.
Once they arrive in Germany, they might want to quarantine for 14 days, no matter their vaccination standing
The European Union
The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she’s proposing implementing restrictions “with the member states, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region.”
However, as of at present, the EU has taken no motion on banning flights from southern Africa to the EU.
The United Kingdom
The U.Ok. has already began limiting flights from the next nations:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
Travelers from these nations might want to self-isolate underneath lodge quarantine for 10 days within the U.Ok. after 4 am GMT on Sunday no matter their vaccination standing. The quarantine prices over 2,000 GBP.
The United States
The United States is ready to heavily restrict travel from South Africa and 7 other Southern African countries. Beginning Monday, solely US residents and authorized residents will be capable of journey into the US from the international locations.
Japan
Japan has restricted journey from the next international locations due to the emergence of the brand new variant:
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
Travelers from these nations might want to spend 14 days in a government-designated facility adopted by an extra 4 days in quarantine at residence.
The Travel Industry Response
The new variant and the following journey restrictions have prompted a major drop in Boeing shares in a single day.
Virgin Atlantic stated it will cancel all flights from Johannesburg from Friday to early Sunday due to the UK’s new guidelines.
Delta Airlines stated, “Delta will continue to work closely with our government partners to evaluate any changes to U.S. policy,”
Read extra:
UK Restarts Travel ‘Red List’ Adding Several African Countries Over New Variant Concerns
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
New Zealand Reveals Tourism Reopening Plans
Costa Rica’s Vaccine Passport Suspended
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