Is it possible that the new variant is already in the US?
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(CNN) -
The discovery of omicron, the new variant of coronavirus first detected in South Africa, prompted several countries to impose travel restrictions on at least six African nations.
WHO designates new variant as "worrisome" and names it omicron
Currently known as B.1.1.529, the newly identified variant appears to be spreading rapidly in parts of South Africa and scientists are concerned that its unusually high number of mutations could make it more transmissible and result in immune evasion.
Travel doors slam shut as new coronavirus variant sets off alarms
These are the countries that have announced restrictions so far for the new variant:
Brazil
USA
Italy
Austria
France
Germany
Australia
United Kingdom
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Japan
Singapore
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
malt
Morocco
Oman
Dubai
Pakistan
Jordan
While only dozens of cases of the new strain have been identified so far, it has been detected in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.
This Saturday, the United Kingdom detected two cases of the omicron variant and the Czech Republic reported the first suspected case.
They begin to take measures for the new variant of covid-19 in South Africa 2:37
The cascade of restrictions across countries began Thursday night when the UK announced it would temporarily suspend flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Japan has tightened border controls for travelers from the same six countries, and imposed a 10-day quarantine starting at 12 a.m. on November 27.
The South African variant, mu, delta and others: one by one, all the variants of the coronavirus identified so far
EU countries Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Malta have announced imminent entry bans for all travelers who have entered South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the past two weeks.
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Singapore has chosen to bar entry to all non-residents of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, while nationals and permanent residents returning from any of these countries will be required to spend 10 days at home.
Malaysia has also taken similar steps.
Meanwhile, Germany plans to declare South Africa a "virus variant area" starting Friday night, which will mean that airlines will only be able to enter from the country to repatriate German nationals.
The Philippines suspended incoming flights with immediate effect from South Africa and six other countries due to concerns about the new variant, according to the presidential office.
Travelers, including Filipino nationals, from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique have been banned until December 15.
The United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday.
Following the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Biden administration will restrict travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi .
Ciro Nogueira, chief minister of the Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil said through Twitter that Brazil will close its air borders to six African countries, South Africa, Botswana, Swatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe, due to the new variant of the coronavirus.
"The ordinance will be published tomorrow and should take effect from Monday," he said.
Omani state media reported that the country will suspend incoming flights from seven southern African countries starting Sunday morning.
"The Supreme Committee of covid-19 has decided to suspend incoming flights from the following countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique," tweeted the Oman News Agency.
As of December 1, travelers from Bostswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe "will not be able to enter Thailand" and will not be able to apply for entry, said the director of the disease control department Opas Karnkawinpong. .
Australia said on Saturday it will ban foreign nationals who have traveled to nine southern African countries in the past 14 days.
The nine countries include South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said at a news conference on Saturday.
For its part, the airline Qatar Airways said in a press release on Saturday that it will no longer accept passengers traveling from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, with immediate effect, to prevent the spread of the omicron variant of covid-19.
Although Colombia does not have direct flights to or from Africa - all are through connections with Brazil or the United States - Colombian President Iván Duque extended the health emergency until February 28 at the national level, and announced that people who have been in Africa in the last 15 days and present symptoms must inform the Colombian authorities and be in isolation.
Flights from South Africa banned in Europe 2:23