The COVID-19 Omicron variant, which has sparked global concern of being a potentially more contagious variant, has led to several European nations setting up restrictions overnight.
On Saturday, 27 November, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had said that Israel will, after government approval, ban the entry of all foreigners into the country for 14 days in response to the new COVID variant.
On Sunday, citing an official, news agency AFP reported that Israel has closed its border to all foreigners.
The variant has already been detected in Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong, Britain, and Israel, sparking global concern.
The World Health Organization on 26 November, had named the B.1.1.529 strain of COVID-19 Omicron, after the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet.
Meanwhile, the United Nations' health body has warned that the variant has a large number of mutations.
Britain, Germany, and Italy detected cases on new COVID-19 Omicron variant on Saturday, 27 November.
Two Omicron cases were detected in Australia on Sunday.
WHO has asked countries in South-East Asia Region to be vigilant as cases surge globally.
Dutch health authorities say that the new 'Omicron' strain of COVID-19 was "probably" present among some of the 61 passengers who tested positive after arriving on two flights from South Africa.
Indian Council of Medical Research says that there is no need to panic and stressed on the need to ramp up vaccination immediately.
India recorded 8,774 new COVID infections and 621 deaths in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, active cases have declined to 1,05,691.
All Flights from African Countries to be Banned: Nepal
In view of the new variant, Nepal will ban all passengers arriving from South African countries, the county's Home Ministry said in a statement, PTI reported.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Test, Isolate People Coming from African Countries: Uttarkhand Govt
The Uttarakhand government asked authorities to test and isolate travellers returning from African countries.
As per DG (Health) Dr Tripti Bahuguna, a person of Udham Singh Nagar, who returned from Congo, has tested negative in Truenet, Antigen & RT-PCR tests. He has been kept in isolation.
Govt to Review Resumption of International Commercial Travel
In an emergency meeting on the new COVID-19 variant chaired by Union Home Secretary, the decision on the resumption of scheduled commercial international passengers service will be taken in view of the developing global scenario, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, ANI reported.
Further, the government will review the statement of procedures on testing and surveillance of the incoming international passengers, especially for countries categorised as ‘at risk'.
All Events in Educational Institutes May be Postponed for 2 Months: Karnataka Govt
In view of the recently emerged COVID-19 clusters in Mysuru, Dharwad and Bengaluru, the Government of Karnataka issued an advisory, saying that all social and cultural events, conferences, seminars, academic events, etc in educational institutions may be postponed for 2 months, ANI reported.