In the face of the Omicron variant raid leading to the launch of Covid-19 cases, countries around the world are still betting on vaccinations and, to avoid financial paralysis, many are relaxing quarantine protocols of patients and their contacts.
The extremely high transmissibility of Omicron and the interruption of work together with the quarantine that accompanies it have serious consequences, although they are not followed, at present, by an increase in deaths. Since the outbreak of the virus in December 2019, the pandemic has killed more than 5.4 million people worldwide, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.
Europe is at the heart of the pandemic, with an unprecedented number of cases. Last week, cases in Europe rose 59% in seven days to more than 4.9 million cases. In total, more than 100 million cases have been reported since December 2019 in Europe.
Kuwait yesterday called on its citizens to “postpone their travels” in general and in five European countries in particular – France, Germany. United Kingdom, Spain, Italy – and those already there to leave, due to the “large and unprecedented” increase in the number of cases.
On the American continent, the pandemic wave is also strong. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House Chief of Staff for Health Crisis, said yesterday that the rise in “almost vertical” cases in the United States was “unprecedented”, with an average rate of 400,000 new cases a day.
Israel has begun giving a fourth dose of the vaccine to people over the age of 60 and to healthcare professionals.
India has started giving the vaccine to teenagers aged 15 to 18 and authorities are stepping up health measures in major cities. A traffic ban from 22:00 has been imposed in New Delhi and Bangalore.
In China, under the “Covid Zero” strategy, two high-ranking officials were suspended in the city of Xi’an “to strengthen the task of preventing and controlling the epidemic” in the region.
Reduction of quarantine duration
In France, MEPs are currently debating a bill that would turn a current healthcare bill into a vaccination bill. The law “which strengthens the tools of health crisis management”, which is expected to be passed despite the reactions, will enter into force on January 15.
Faced with the outbreak of cases at 200,000 a day, France wants to increase the pressure on those who are not vaccinated, who, without a vaccination certificate, will not have access to recreational activities, restaurants, bars and long-distance transport.
In order to preserve socio-economic life, the duration of the quarantine will be reduced in France from today. Isolation of patients will last for five days after a positive diagnostic test, while new measures will come into force – enhanced diagnostic test for students, mandatory use of a mask for those over six years, minimum telework time of three days per week.
Switzerland, Spain, Argentina and Portugal also decided last week to reduce quarantine duration to reduce the effects on economic activity.
To reduce absenteeism and avoid supply chain disruptions and shortages, Joe Biden’s government decided last Monday to reduce the quarantine period from ten to five days for Covid-positive people, under provided they are asymptomatic.
South Africa, believing it had overcome the peak of the Omicron wave, lifted a 21-month overnight traffic ban on December 31.
But other countries imposed tougher measures, such as the Netherlands, which imposed a lockdown a week before Christmas. Thousands protested in Amsterdam, and police made 30 arrests for disturbing public order.
Omicron also hit air traffic hard, as thousands of flights were canceled due to a lack of flying staff, as pilots and flight attendants, ill or in contact with cases, were quarantined.
Yesterday, the day of the return from vacation, more than 2,500 flights were canceled in the United States due to Hurricane Frida, which was added to the consequences of Omicron.
The situation will remain difficult today, the first working day of 2022, with more than 2,000 flights already canceled.
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