 | 'Emergence of Omicron was inevitable', says South Africa President as COVID cases increase five-foldCyril Ramaphosa said the number of daily infections has increased five-fold in the past week, with nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 tests now returning positive. |
 | Isolating South Africa will not help in containing Omicron variant: top epidemiologistProf Salim Abdool-Kariman projected a dramatic rise in infections in the coming days but given the variant already surfaced in other countries, a travel ban will really be of little help. |
 | Pakistan bans travel from 6 African countries, Hong Kong amid concern over new Covid variant OmicronHowever, Pakistani passengers travelling from these countries "on extreme emergency" will only be allowed after obtaining exemptions, the NCOC said. |
 | Bangladesh suspends travel from South Africa amid fears of new COVID-19 variant Omicron"We must also be cautious about citizens travelling from other countries. We will check if they have received the vaccine and the RT-PCR test," Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid said. |
 | Covid travel bans on South Africa "draconian", "misdirected": Health Minister Joe PhaahlaOmicron was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on November 24, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. |
