HOPE FOR THE BEST, PREPARE FOR THE WORST: EU LEADER
Air travellers to the United States will face tougher COVID 19 testing rules to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and other countries tightened border controls as a European leader urged all concerned to prepare for the worst.
A World Health Organization official said 24 countries may have reported cases of the variant so far but that some of the early indications were that most cases were mild, with none severe. Travel bans had consequences, he said, but there would be more mutations without other measures to contain its spread.
Staving off Omicron while scientists establish how easily it can spread and whether it can evade vaccine protection is a “race against time” the president of the European Union’s executive Commission said, emphasising the role of vaccines.
“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference, adding that according to scientists, full vaccination and a booster shot provide the strongest possible protection.
Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, Saudia Arabia and South Korea were among the latest countries to report cases of the variant. Britain reported 22 cases so far, a number it said would certainly go up.
Australia said at least two people visited several places in Sydney while likely infectious and Denmark said an infected person had taken part in a large concert.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods, while advising those unwell, at risk or 60 years and over and unvaccinated to postpone travel.
Health officials have offered reassurances and said it is very likely vaccines will still prevent people getting seriously ill.