The Omicron COVID-19 Variant Has Been Identified In These Countries & Some Borders Are Shut
It hasn't been detected in Canada as yet.
The new variant of coronavirus named Omicron has not yet been identified in Canada but has been detected in several countries outside of North America.
"This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning," said the World Health Organization on Friday, November 26. "Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other [variants of concern]."
The variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on November 24, 2021, says the agency.
According to the BBC, the Omicron variant has further been detected in two European countries: Germany and Belgium. There is a suspected case in the Czech Republic.
It's also been discovered in Israel, Botswana, and Hong Kong, says the news agency.
In terms of travel, Israel, the U.K., the U.S., Australia, Japan, India, and Canada have all imposed some kind of travel restrictions.
On November 26, the Canadian government announced a ban on foreign nationals who have travelled to South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini in the last 14 days.
"For now, it is just these seven countries but we will constantly reevaluate and assess the list of those countries," said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.
For Canadians and permanent residents who travelled to those countries in the last 14 days, proof of a negative test must be presented for re-entry to the country. Furthermore, they'll need to wait in a hotel room until a negative test comes back upon arriving in Canada.
The restriction will stay in place until January 31, 2022.
Despite these new rules, Canada's top doctor has said that it's difficult to keep a virus like Omicron out of the country.
"I don't think people should be surprised if we did get a detection," said Dr.Theresa Tam.