New cases of the omicron virus variant are being discovered worldwide.

The variant was first discovered in South Africa, which has led to several countries halting air traffic to southern Africa. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to the world in a speech to resume air traffic.

”"We urge all countries that have imposed travel bans to our country and to our sister nations in southern Africa to immediately reconsider their decisions," Ramaphosa said on Sunday evening in his first address to the nation since South African researchers told the world a few days ago that they had located a new variant of the coronavirus.

”"There is no scientific support for this (the travel ban). The decisions are damaging our economy and the economies of other countries," said Ramaphosa, while also urging South African citizens to get vaccinated - otherwise, it may be necessary to make Covid vaccinations mandatory if you want to participate in certain activities.

Only 35 percent of South Africa's adult population is fully vaccinated. 

Earlier in the day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged caution so that the scientific community has time to analyze the variant, which has been named omicron.

The EU base also noted that the world is fighting a "race against time" to understand the newly discovered virus variant. According to von der Leyen's assessment, it will take two to three weeks for researchers and vaccine manufacturers to get a complete picture of the mutations that distinguish the variant from previous variants.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, is also urging countries around the world to listen to science instead of closing borders.

”Implementing an entry ban targeting Africa when the omicron variant has now been detected in several regions of the world is an attack on global solidarity,” says Moeti. 

Israel has also confirmed cases of omicron and is announcing a total ban on all foreigners entering the country starting Sunday evening. The borders will be closed for 14 days. The hope is that more information will emerge in the meantime about how effective the vaccine is against omicron.

”Our working hypothesis is that the variant is already present in almost all countries and that the vaccine is effective, although we do not yet know to what degree,” says Israel's Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked.

Angola is suspending all flights from neighboring countries to prevent the spread of the virus variant, the national airline TAAG announced. Morocco is going a step further and announcing that all flights to the country will be suspended for two weeks, starting Monday night. The flight suspension will be continuously re-evaluated based on developments, according to a government committee. 

Several other countries have confirmed cases of omicron infection, including Germany, Italy, Belgium and Hong Kong. In Denmark, the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) confirms that two cases have been detected in the country.

”It was expected,” says SSI manager Henrik Ullum.

The UK has reintroduced face mask requirements in shops and on public transport after two cases of omicron were confirmed in the country. Both are linked to travel from southern Africa. A third case was discovered on Sunday.

All arrivals to the UK will be required to take a PCR test and isolate themselves while awaiting results. The country will also speed up vaccinations with a third dose. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commends ”South African researchers for the rapid identification of the omicron variant and the South African government for its transparency in sharing this information, which should serve as a model for the world.”.

The statement could be interpreted as a veiled criticism of China's handling of information about the initial outbreak of COVID-19. The US has criticized China for its lack of cooperation.

US President Joe Biden says richer countries should donate more vaccines and give up patents to manufacture more doses worldwide.

”The news of this new variant should show more clearly than ever why this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations.”

Source: TT