(Reuters.) Several countries, including Australia, have imposed travel restrictions for southern Africa’s citizens on Saturday following the revelation of Omicron, a new variant of coronavirus. The news triggered a global panic and a stock market crash.

Meanwhile, authorities in Amsterdam said that 61 out of around 600 people who arrived in the Dutch city on two flights from South Africa on Friday had tested positive https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/passengers-south-africa-face-wait-covid-19-testing-amsterdam-2021-11-26 for coronavirus. Additional tests are being performed by the health authorities in Amsterdam to confirm that these cases were caused by the new virus.

Omicron, dubbed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization, is potentially more contagious https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-we-know-about-covid-19-variant-detected-south-africa-2021-11-26 than previous variants of the disease.

The variant was discovered for the first time in South Africa. It has been found in Israel, Botswana and Hong Kong since then. On Saturday, a minister from the German state Hesse stated that it was very likely that this variant arrived in Germany via a South African traveller.

On Friday, financial markets plummeted, particularly stocks in airlines and other travel sectors, because investors were concerned that this variant would cause an additional pandemic outbreak and stop a worldwide recovery. Oil prices dropped by around $10 per barrel.

It closed at 2.5%. This was its lowest point since October 2020. European stocks also had their worst day for 17 months.

Scientists may take several weeks to understand how the mutations occur and whether there are any vaccines or treatments that can be used against them. Omicron is fifth of five variants that are considered to be alarming by WHO.

TOURIST CURBS

Omicron is still circulating worldwide, and epidemiologists believe that travel restrictions may not be effective. But, on Friday, many countries such as Brazil, Canada, Brazil and the European Union announced travel bans.

Australia announced Saturday that it will ban all non-citizens from nine countries in southern Africa from entering. It also required a 14-day quarantine for Australian citizens returning to Australia.

Japan announced that it will increase its stricter border control to three additional African countries. This comes after it imposed curbs on South Africa’s travel from Botswana and Eswatini on Friday.

Oman, Thailand and Sri Lanka also announced travel restrictions for southern African countries.

Omicron was born as Europe is already struggling with a spike in COVID-19-related infections. Many countries have also reintroduced social restrictions to slow the spread.

On Saturday, Britain’s main opposition Labour Party demanded a quicker booster vaccine programme. It stated that between the second dose of vaccination and the booster jab, it should take six to five more months.

Alex Norris (Labour’s junior health spokesperson) said, “This variant is a wakeup call.” “The pandemic has not ended. To keep this virus from spreading, we must immediately strengthen our defenses.”