How the variant of coronavirus omicron affects your travel plans

Ómicron: these are the countries with cases 1:17

(CNN) -

The discovery of a new variant of coronavirus has left governments around the world in trouble.

And it has led to a steady stream of increased travel restrictions since the World Health Organization (WHO) designated B.1.1.529 as a "variant of concern" on November 26.

Little is known about the new variant, called omicron, including how it will affect those infected or the levels of efficacy provided by vaccines against it.

But officials in many countries are taking no chances.

Major travel destinations have taken steps to block flights from various countries in southern Africa after the discovery of the omicron variant, while others are limiting travel from affected areas to citizens only.

For those who expected the worst of the pandemic was in the rearview mirror and could finally make overdue getaways abroad, the news comes as a heavy blow and raises multiple questions.

• Minute by minute: More travel restrictions around the world due to concern about the omicron variant

Here are some of the most important that might be on travelers' minds right now.

How are countries responding to the new variant?

European countries suspend flights from South Africa for new variant 2:23

Prospective travelers could be forgiven for feeling a bit of déjà vu right now.

The race to introduce new entry restrictions and cancel flights has great similarities to the global travel freeze that crushed the international tourism community when COVID-19 began to spread in early 2020.

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Cases of omicron have been found on several continents;

Countries like Germany, Canada, Italy, Israel and Hong Kong reported cases as of Monday morning.

But most of the new restrictions are focused on countries in southern Africa.

For example, New Zealand now bans travel from nine southern African countries due to concerns about the new omicron variant: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique.

Only New Zealand citizens can travel from these countries.

Some countries are canceling flights entirely from various southern African countries, while others are imposing new quarantine restrictions on travelers arriving through certain destinations.

• Latin American countries that have imposed travel restrictions for the omicron variant

Japan has taken a stricter approach.

As of November 30, it will be closed for non-citizens, including international students or people visiting family members.

I am not traveling in Africa.

Are my plans at risk?

Travelers are advised to obtain insurance to cover covid-related problems.

Phill Magakoe / AFP / Getty Images

The situation is incredibly fluid at the moment.

As noted above, cases are already popping up in other countries, from Canada to Australia, which means more restrictions could be imminent.

With few exceptions, the governments of most countries are allowing citizens and permanent residents of southern African countries to return to their homes.

As we saw in 2020, the situation can change quickly, so travelers are advised to keep abreast of the latest news.

It's also wise to take the extra step of signing up for your government's online alert program.

For US citizens and nationals, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows those traveling and living abroad to register their trip at the nearest US embassy or consulate.

STEP sends important information from the embassy about security conditions in specific destinations and allows embassy officials to contact you in the event of an emergency.

• These countries have found cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus so far

How long will these restrictions last?

It's too early to tell.

The United States is restricting travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi as of Monday, administration officials told CNN.

President Joe Biden told reporters that he had "decided that we will be cautious" regarding the variant.

"We don't know much about the variant, except that it is a huge concern and it seems to be spreading rapidly," he said.

This appears to be the case in other countries, with the aim of slowing the spread of infections while they work to find out how severe this new, supposedly more infectious variant is and whether vaccines provide protection.

The world is in a "race against time" with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday.

And in terms of travel safety?

There is still much that scientists do not yet know about the new variant of the coronavirus.

But the best thing anyone can do now is get vaccinated, according to Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Getting vaccinated is essential for two reasons, he said.

The first is the delta variant.

"That is the virus that is here, right now, in each and every community, spreading," Schaffner said.

"But No. 2, and this has to do with omicron, our vaccines are likely to provide at least partial protection. And partial protection is always better than no protection."

The other essential safety measure is still wearing a mask when you are in public.

Schaffner's advice on traveling is largely the same as it was before the discovery of the new variant.

Make sure you're vaccinated, wear a mask, stay away socially as much as possible while traveling, and carefully consider what you're going to do when you get there, which probably puts you at greater risk than the trip itself.

• Are travel restrictions effective against covid-19?

"If everyone is going to hug, kiss and take off their masks, that's fine. But you have to have a rule, you have to discuss this with your family or friends," Schaffner said.

"That means everyone should be vaccinated, and you could do what our family did before Thanksgiving: we all got tested. And not only did we get vaccinated and boosted, but we tested negative. Now if you start to take control that way, then you can do your travels and your meetings and your social events with very low risk. "

Is there a health reason right now to cancel plans, like a trip to New York, for example?

"I don't think so, but remember, I'm a very careful traveler," Schaffner said.

"I'm vaccinated and boosted. I wouldn't want to go to New York to a meeting unless I've had a conversation with everyone and said, 'I'm not going to show up in New York unless everyone at that meeting is vaccinated.' Therefore, you have the right to establish some rules for yourself and for the people with whom you will be in contact. "

A trip that involves a lot of shopping and going to the theater, eating at crowded restaurants, and going to your favorite New York City bar is a different story.

"If you want to do all of that, yeah, you're taking more risk, but that really has nothing to do with omicron. That has to do with delta right now," Schaffner said.

• Ómicron, mu, delta, lambda and others: one by one, all the variants of the coronavirus identified so far

I have already booked international travel plans.

Should I cancel?

For those who have booked international travel for the upcoming winter holiday season, the timing is truly unfortunate.

At the moment, it is too early to know if the new variant will lead to more international travel restrictions.

Experts say that those who have weighed the risks and decide to book would do well to make sure they have a full covid-19 insurance plan to offset all the possibilities and make sure their airline / hotel has a flexible cancellation policy.

"The most important thing is to pay attention to flexible booking policies," Rory Boland, travel editor for UK consumer magazine

"Many vacation companies and airlines have them, but there is a big difference between what they do and what they don't cover." Some will cover almost any eventuality if restrictions are introduced even in the country you are traveling to.

They will rebook you for free.

Others cover very little, while prominently advertising flexible booking. "

"So book with a vacation company or airline with a truly flexible policy and purchase comprehensive travel insurance covered against almost any change. What travelers want is peace of mind, that's how you get it."

Will these travel bans and restrictions really work?

Travelers are advised to obtain insurance to cover covid-related problems.

Phill Magakoe / AFP / Getty Images

As mentioned, governments are trying to buy time while calculating the potential impact of omicron.

But some officials criticize the restrictions for being unfair and ineffective.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa said Sunday it supports African nations and called for borders to remain open as a growing number of countries around the world impose flight bans.

The office said countries should adopt a scientific approach based on risk and put measures in place that can limit its possible spread.

• Why the WHO skipped two letters of the Greek alphabet to name the omicron variant

"The implementation of travel bans targeting Africa attacks global solidarity," said WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti.

"Covid-19 is constantly exploiting our divisions. We will only get the best out of the virus if we work together to find solutions."

Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19, but "place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods."

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned against travel bans, stressing that such restrictions are "not a long-term solution" when it comes to managing variants of the coronavirus.

"Governments are responding to the risks of the new variant of coronavirus in emergency mode that cause fear among the traveling public. We must build on the experience of the last two years as soon as possible to move to a coordinated, data-driven approach that finds alternatives. safe to border closures and quarantine, "IATA Director General Willie Walsh said in a statement.

Includes information from CNN's Marnie Hunter, Laura Smith-Spark, Ivana Kottasová, Caitlin McGee, Martin Goillandeau, Sharon Braithwaite, and Julia Buckley.

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