The rapid spread of the Omicron type of the coronavirus disease is expected to dampen Christmas and New Year celebrations in many areas of the world, as governments debate whether to impose tight restrictions in order to avert a surge in Covid-19 cases.
The Omicron strain has already established itself as a dominant strain in the United States, the United Kingdom, and numerous European and Asian countries. As a result, several countries have instituted precautionary lockdowns and limitations in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
Even as its European neighbors chose a less stringent approach, the Netherlands enacted a tough national lockdown beginning Sunday to contain rapidly spreading illnesses.
In light of the recent Covid-19 rise, South Korea, Germany, and Ireland have chosen to reimpose partial or complete lockdowns, as well as other social distancing measures.
After Omicron became the main strain circulating, the US added eight more countries to the “high-risk” list. President Joe Biden, on the other hand, downplayed talk of a lockdown and emphasized the need of being vaccinated to avoid a wave of diseases linked to the new variety.
Although England has yet to make a decision on Christmas and New Year’s Eve lockdowns, vaccination certificates are required at nightclubs and large events. Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, conceded on Monday that the situation was “extremely difficult”
After 8 p.m. in Ireland, pubs and bars are required to close their doors.
To minimize massive crowds, France has banned fireworks on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
New Zealand’s reopening of its international border has been postponed as a result of the reintroduction of social distancing measures in numerous other countries. The Australian Prime Minister, on the other side, has urged that lockdowns be lifted.
The Singapore health ministry is on high alert for Omicron instances, and testing is underway to see if the variant is to blame for a possible cluster of cases at a gym.
Starting today, Israel has prohibited travel from ten countries.
In the meanwhile, in light of Omicron, India has not declared any major restrictions other than those already in place. According to the Union health ministry, at least 200 cases of the new strain have been registered in the country thus far.