In Italy I appeal to the Regions to strengthen tracking
As a precaution, following the arrival of the Omicron variety, the Ministry of Health recommends in a circular signed by the director of prevention Gianni Rezza, sent to the Regions, to strengthen and monitor the tracking and sequencing activities in the case of travelers coming from Countries or in the event of outbreaks characterized by a rapid and anomalous increase in cases and to promptly and scrupulously apply the measures for quarantine and isolation already provided for the Delta variant.
India monitors the reopening of international flights
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told officials on Saturday to review plans to ease travel restrictions as concerns increase over the Omicron variant.The second-worst-hit country in the world by the pandemic only on Friday decided to resume passenger flights. from countries deemed “at risk” of the coronavirus. But after the alarm launched by WHO, Modi “highlighted the need to monitor all international arrivals, with a specific focus on countries identified at risk”.
Just this week, India recorded the smallest increase in new cases in a year and a half, due to the increase in vaccinations.
Australia closes direct flights with 9 African countries
“Direct flights from nine southern African countries will be suspended immediately,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a press conference on Saturday. The countries are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini, Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique. Returning Australian citizens and their dependents who have been to any of these countries in the past 14 days must enter supervised quarantine upon arrival. Other travelers from those locations will not be able to enter Australia.
Iran also bans travel to and from South Africa
Iran has also decided to ban entry to foreign travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and eSwatini, after the discovery of the Covid Omicron variant. This was announced by the head of the Infectious Diseases Center of the Iranian Ministry of Health Mohammadmehdi Gouya. “Iranians traveling from these countries will have to test negative in two tests,” he said, stressing that “any travel to these countries is also prohibited”.