New omicron variant: what do we know so far?
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(CNN Spanish) -
Concern about the omicron variant of coronavirus has unleashed a wave of travel restrictions and temporary flight bans around the world.
These Latin American countries have also taken action.
Minute by minute: More travel restrictions around the world due to concern about the omicron variant
Argentina
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3:26
The Government of Argentina ordered this Monday that all people who enter the country from Africa or who have been in that continent in the last 14 days prior to their arrival must quarantine.
This will be 14 days due to warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) about the new omicron variant of the coronavirus.
There are also a number of mandatory requirements for people entering the country from Africa.
Among these are: having the complete vaccination schedule 14 days before arrival and a PCR test with a negative result performed at the place of origin within 72 hours prior to entering the country.
In addition, at the time of entry, travelers must undergo an antigen test.
To end the quarantine, travelers must undergo a PCR test after 10 days have elapsed since their sample collection in the country of origin, the result of which must be negative.
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Finally, foreigners not residing in the country will be required to have "covid-19 health insurance", which includes coverage of hospitalization services.
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chili
Chile will close its borders to non-resident foreigners who have spent the last 14 days in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique.
Authorities of the Ministry of Health reported this Monday that the measure will take effect from December 1.
As for Chileans and foreigners residing in the country who have visited those countries in the last 14 days, they can enter as long as they carry out a PCR test at the point of entry and also comply with a seven-day quarantine.
This, regardless of their vaccination status and even if the test result is negative.
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Guatemala
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said on Friday that he issued a travel restriction for people coming from southern Africa.
"Yesterday we received a report of a new variant, so we issued a travel ban to all people who come from those countries. They don't come much from Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa. It is not common for them to come to Guatemala but anyway, because a new, much more aggressive variant has appeared, and there is no vaccine for that, we have to take care of ourselves, "said President Giammattei.
Paraguay
The Paraguayan Ministry of Public Health issued a travel ban on tourists from 10 African countries to prevent the entry of the new omicron variant, it announced this Monday.
Restricts travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola.
The Ministry of Health also recommended that Paraguayan citizens avoid traveling to those countries and any other where the omicron variant has been detected until there is more information about it.
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Panama
The Minister of Health of Panama reported on Saturday that they will issue a resolution that establishes the countries that already have community contagion and that if President Cortizo approves it, they would be classified as very high risk.
Being on that list would imply the restriction of entry into the country, through the application of quarantines to travelers from those destinations, the Press office of the Ministry of Health explained to CNN.
The Minister of Health added that the countries proposed in "the list are South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe."
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Ecuador
Ecuador announced travel restrictions Monday night in response to the omicron variant, President Guillermo Lasso said.
Lasso announced a series of measures to prevent the spread, including a ban on the entry of people coming from a list of African countries, either as their country of origin, or coming from a stopover or transit through those countries.
The countries include South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Namibia.
The measures will take effect on December 1.
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He also said that the border with Colombia would be opened in phases, starting with the transport of goods.
Domestic and foreign travelers must present their vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, and children under the age of 16 must present a negative PCR test to enter the country.
“If there is a suspicious case among travelers, a PCR test will be carried out.
If it is positive, they must complete 14 days of isolation, "said Lasso, and urged Ecuadorians to get vaccinated.
At least 70 countries and territories around the world have announced travel restrictions to curb the spread of the new variant.
With information from Kiarinna Parisi and Karol Suarez
Covid-19
