The Belgian health ministry said a case of the new B.1.1.529 strain was confirmed in an unvaccinated young woman who had returned from Egypt 11 days ago, suggesting it is already being seeded across the continent and is widespread in Africa. The possibility of introducing quarantine measures comes despite previous assurances from Mr Morrison that the new variant was not ‘of concern’.īelgium revealed a case of the Botswana variant – named ‘Omicron’ by the World Health Organisation overnight – prompting EU chiefs to call for an ’emergency brake’ on all travel from southern Africa after it was also found in Israel. Overseas travellers who are returning home from any of those countries are likely to be forced to quarantine or isolate in Australia.
There are currently no direct flights between South Africa and Australia but the emergence of the ‘Omicron’ strain has prompted serious discussions about tightening isolation rules for travellers coming from several parts of southern Africa including Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. The prime minister discussed the possible new measures with health minister Greg Hunt, health department secretary Brendan Murphy and chief medical officer Paul Kelly during a meeting on Saturday. Scott Morrison is set to tighten quarantine restrictions on some travellers as a new-infectious and vaccine resistant Covid strain emerges from South Africa – prompting Europe and the United States to announce a travel ban.
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