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Corona 19 mutant virus 'Omicron' is being confirmed in Europe and Asia following Africa. Countries around the world have imposed entry bans on travelers from South Africa.



Correspondent Kim Jeong-gi.



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So far, confirmed cases of Omicron mutation have been reported in the UK, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic and Denmark.



Both people confirmed in the UK have recently been confirmed to have traveled to South Africa.



In addition, Belgian authorities said that a woman who had traveled to Egypt via Turkey and returned on the 11th tested positive for COVID-19, and the omicron mutation was found in this woman.



In Germany, two confirmed cases of Omicron mutation were confirmed, and in Italy, Omicron came from a person who had traveled to Mozambique for business.



Two cases were also confirmed in Hong Kong.



As a result, Israel has banned all foreigners from entering the country for 14 days.



Israel is the first country to impose a total ban on foreign nationals after the discovery of the Omicron mutation.



The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the travel advisory for eight countries, including South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, to 4, the highest level.



The state of New York has declared a state of emergency in response to the possibility of the spread of Omicron mutations.



It will take effect from the 3rd of the next month.



From yesterday (27th), Japan ordered all travelers arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Lesotho to quarantine for 10 days.



The Philippines also imposed entry bans from yesterday, targeting seven countries, including South Africa and Botswana, until the 15th of next month.