New Covid variant 'Omicron' major threat to travel and tourism industry

The World Health Organization announced on Friday that it had designated the newly identified variant, B.1.1.529, as a variant of concern, named Omicron. The omicron variant is the first new variant of concern since the delta variant that swept through the world earlier this summer, causing an uptick in infections and deaths, particularly among the unvaccinated population. The delta strain was twice as infectious as the original Covid-19 virus.

The omicron strain of the coronavirus is cropping up across Europe, with cases detected in two people in the United Kingdom, two in Germany and at least one in Italy, as the latest variant of concern spreads around the world.

A number of countries, including the US, have initiated travel bans against South Africa - where the rapidly circulating new strain was first identified on November 24 - as well as seven other southern African nations. Extra testing and self-isolation measures for travellers from those countries are also in place.

The concern over the quick spread of the variant has led to restrictions on travel from several countries in southern Africa. The Biden administration announced restricted travel for non-US citizens starting Monday from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

The European Union also announced plans to halt travel from South Africa and other southern African nations. The mutations of the omicron variant are concerning, says WHO. The omicron variant is the first new variant of concern since the delta variant that swept through the world earlier this summer, causing an uptick in infections and deaths, particularly among the unvaccinated population. The delta strain was twice as infectious as the original Covid-19 virus.

While there are a number of studies underway to continue evaluating the omicron variant, the World Health Organization says the number of mutations in this variant is "concerning" and that it could suggest an "increased risk of reinfection."

The WHO also says that current Covid-19 tests are capable of identifying this omicron variant, which is how authorities have been able to track how rapidly the variant is spreading. But further information and studies on the variant could take "days to weeks," health officials from WHO said.

In the meantime, people should continue to take steps to lower their exposure to infection and reduce the spread of the virus, the WHO urges. This includes mask-wearing and getting the vaccine when it's your turn to do so.

Despite the bans, the new variant has already been found in at least a dozen countries. Most of the cases detected have been in travellers returning from the region. The new variant prompted governments to slam shut their borders to people coming from the region.

European Union states have agreed to introduce temporary restrictions on all travel into the EU from southern Africa over the new coronavirus variant. The countries concerned are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan are also among those imposing restrictions on flights and travellers from southern African nations in light of the new variant. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned against travel bans, stressing such restrictions are "not a long-term solution" when it comes to managing coronavirus variants.

"Governments are responding to the risks of the new coronavirus variant in emergency mode causing fear among the travelling public. As quickly as possible we must use the experience of the last two years to move to a coordinated data-driven approach that finds safe alternatives to border closures and quarantine," said IATA Director General Willie Walsh in a statement.

The developments have led to speculation that strict curbs on travel brought in at the start of the pandemic could be on their way back. World Health Organization experts have said while it is still too early to gauge what kind of impact the mutation will have, people should start taking precautions right now to reduce the chances of their exposure to it.

It would take researchers a few weeks to understand what it [the new variant] means, but action was needed in the meantime.

The fresh anxiety comes as another blow for the travel industry, which has struggled to rebound after being brought to a near standstill during the first waves of the pandemic.

There are now fears some travel companies may not survive if the situation with the new variant worsens. It's not just that bookings are down, but they have to continually issue refunds. They're having difficulty getting financing from banks. There are a number of market conditions working against them.