Omicron. Israel closes its borders, first cases in Australia

• The first case in Italy of the Omicron variant has been ascertained

• Omicron variant emergency, EU Commission meeting: asked for more tests and vaccines

• Covid, two Omicron cases detected in the UK.

  Johnson: "Third dose vaccine more vital than ever"

• Covid, the first photo of Omicron from a research group of the Child Jesus

• Media: the name of the Omicron variant chosen not to offend China

• South African government protests: "Punished for discovering the Omicron variant"

Share

November 28, 2021 The first cases of positive for the new variant of the coronavirus have multiplied in Europe and in the world and countries are running for cover by increasing travel restrictions.

After announcing the interruption of flights from abroad, 

 has decided to completely close its borders to prevent the arrival of people infected with the variant.

"The entry of foreigners is prohibited with the exception of cases approved by a special commission," reads a note from the prime minister's office. The other measures decided are an isolation of at least three days for Israeli citizens arriving from abroad. Those from countries in the red zone will have to quarantine in hotels indicated by the authorities until they have a negative anti-Covid test result. The Shin Bet internal security service will be employed to locate infected people.

First to suspend flights from South Africa, the

has announced a tightening of entry rules for arrivals: mandatory PCR tests and isolation until the result, together with the return of the mandatory mask in all stores.

The

, who now faces a referendum on anti-Covid restrictions, decided to increase the countries from which it must be put in quarantine. In addition to Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium, from today the list also includes Great Britain, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Egypt and Malawi, as announced by the Swiss Ministry of Health quoted by the Guardian.

Two days ago, Bern had already banned all direct flights from South Africa and imposed restrictions from other countries: only Swiss citizens or those with a residence permit in the Schengen area are entitled to arrive in the Confederation. 

The 

 added three other African countries to the list of nations for which the quarantine obligation began on Saturday. The countries are Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, and are added to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe, as well as South Africa itself.

"The government responds urgently to the risk of virus expansion, and we will do everything in our power to better control the borders," said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Travelers from the nine countries will be subjected to a 10-day period of quarantine in facilities set up by the health authorities, during which three swabs will be performed: on the third and sixth day and at the end of isolation. 

In

anyone "in contact" with another positive result for the new Omicron variant will need to be isolated even if vaccinated, the health ministry said.

Currently, in the country, where no confirmed cases of this variant have yet been announced, if a person is in contact with a person infected with coronavirus, they should only isolate themselves for seven days if they are not vaccinated or if their vaccination schedule is incomplete. or is immunosuppressed, according to health insurance.

Meanwhile, after Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy, Omicron has also reached

: the country has announced that it has diagnosed two infections of the Covid variant on passengers from South Africa. In the country of 25 million inhabitants, 207,984 cases and 1994 deaths have been recorded since the start of the pandemic, and 39 million doses of the vaccine have so far been administered. 

In the last three days the announcements have followed one another: two confirmed cases in Germany in travelers arriving from South Africa at Munich airport, another suspicion in a traveler arriving at Frankfurt airport (central Germany), a first case in Italy in a man from the Neapolitan returning from Mozambique, cases in Hong Kong, in Israel on a person returning from Malawi and in Botswana, as well as in South Africa.

First case of Omicron variant also in the Czech Republic: it is a woman who had been to Namibia and tested positive.

The woman was vaccinated and has mild symptoms.