Worldwide concern about the omicron, the new strain of corona virus, continues to rise as many countries have announced that they are closing their gates to tourists coming from South African countries.
The same concern is expressed, among other things, in the fact that Switzerland announced this morning (Saturday) that it is banning the entry into the country of people who came from countries where positive people were diagnosed with Omicron, including Israel.
According to Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, as of yesterday, four cases of verified variants have been identified in Israel, for which the World Health Organization said there is "cause for concern" about it - the fifth overall since the corona outbreak in the world.
Man working corona test in Brussels, Belgium, Photo: Reuters
The fear of an outbreak of the new strain has also led to declines in stock markets around the world, and especially among shares of airlines and other companies engaged in tourism.
On the other hand, the shares of Pfizer and Zoom are on the rise.
Many epidemiologists estimate that it is too late to stop the spread of the variant from reaching the countries of the world, which has led many countries - including the US, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Canada and all 27 EU member states - to impose restrictions on returnees. Africa, just like Switzerland, and before it Israel.
The outbreak of the omicron comes against the background of the recent rising rise in many countries around the world of the corona, some of which have even imposed various restrictions on their citizens in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the UK, for example, the Labor Party has called for a step up in the country's vaccination campaign, arguing that the gap between the second and third vaccines, the "booster", should be reduced from six to five months.
Loads at New York Airport in New Jersey, USA, Photo: Reuters
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you find an error in the article, we will be happy for you to share with us and we will correct it