Omicron mutation spreads in Europe: Strict measures taken one after another

by

The Omicron mutation evokes nightmarish memories from the first days of the pandemic throughout Europe. One country after another, the countries of the old continent are taking stricter measures to stem the tide of the pandemic, while Israel has decided to close its borders to all foreign visitors for at least 14 days.

Already confirmed cases have been identified in the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

Thirteen Omicron cases have been identified in the Netherlands out of 61 suspected. These are travelers who arrived on two flights from South Africa. Authorities believe there may be other Omicron cases among those being monitored.

Britain is fortifying itself, taking new, stricter measures.

“It seems that the Omicron variant can spread very quickly and can spread to people who are double-vaccinated. “We will require anyone entering the United Kingdom to take a molecule at the end of the second day after arrival and be isolated until it has a negative effect,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

At the same time, the Omicron mutation case contacts will be quarantined, while the obligatory use of the mask will return to commercial stores and public transport.

“There is reason to believe that perhaps – and I emphasize the word perhaps – the variant seems to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines,” said British Health Minister Sajid Javid.

The nightmarish memories from the first days of the pandemic are awakening and the citizens are afraid not to return to zero.

At the same time, a suspicious case is being investigated in Denmark, while two confirmed cases are recorded in Australia.

“The new variant is worrying. “It changed from a research variant to a concern variant within 24 hours,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Israel is returning to the drastic policy it has been pursuing since the beginning of the pandemic. It becomes the first country in the world to close its borders to all foreign visitors for at least 14 days. While the Israelis who will return to the country will enter a mandatory quarantine.

“It’s not something that can be limited. “The goal is just to tame it, to make it more like other respiratory viruses, but we will always have the coronavirus around us, if all goes well in a less threatening way, as we vaccinate more people,” said an infectious disease specialist.

Closed borders, however, do not seem to be able to prevent the Omicron variant.

“When you have a virus like this, it will almost always go virtually everywhere,” said the White House chief infectious disease specialist.

Desperate travelers from South Africa

And at a time when more and more countries are blocking travelers from the wider South African region, the situation at Johannesburg Airport is dramatic.

“I am disappointed because there is nothing I can do. They say that you can wait in line here, to see alternative flights, where they can send you, but everything is so full that you can not buy a new ticket. “So just be patient, I’re just waiting here to be told where I can fly,” said one passenger.

Hundreds of travelers are looking for an escape route from the country. And those who live there, are faced with terror.

And as Omicron spreads, Christmas again looks like the big crash test for crypto and citizens …

Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news

.

You May Also Like

Recommended for you