Following the discovery of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, major travel destinations around the world have moved to shut their borders.
Most of the cases that were first detected have been from travellers returning from the South Africa. At least thirteen passengers from South Africa tested positive to the variant after landing at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Friday.
Two new cases found in the UK were also linked to travellers from South Africa and two cases were found in Australia. Last week, two new cases were discovered in Germany and as of Sunday, a new case was discovered in the central German state of Hesse.
Since the discovery of the new variant on Friday, travel ban has been imposed on South Africa by the United Kingdom, the United States, European Union and some Asian countries as part of efforts to prevent its spread.
The variant also known as B.11.529 is spreading rapidly and scientists are concerned about its high number of mutations which could make it more transmissible.
Czech President, Milos Zeman, tested positive to the new variants last week and when it was time to appoint the country’s new Prime Minister, he did so sitting inside an acrylic glass box as the new variant is more transmissible.
Also, the Benefica’s Primerira Liga match which took place at Belenenses on Saturday was abandoned after Jaoa Monteiro, the Clubs goal keeper sat down and was unable to continue the match. Earlier in the week, 17 cases of coronavirus were recorded in the squad.
The President of the African Development bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina has said in a tweet that Africa is not the source of Covid-19 and should not be punished for the Omicron Covid-19 variant as the virus was first discovered in Wuhan, China.
