Nov. 29 In recent days, “Omikron” has dominated the headlines of major media in the world. This new variant of the novel coronavirus has spread to many continents in Europe, Asia, Africa, the oceans and North America in just a few days, and the speed of transmission can be said to be amazing.
Previously, many European countries that had gradually relaxed the epidemic restrictions had to resume epidemic prevention methods such as “mask orders” and “limiting business hours”; after Israel closed its borders, Japan also decided to temporarily ban foreigners from entering the country from 0 o’clock on November 30.
The severity of the situation is not optimistic.
6 European countries “hit the trick”
“Omikron” has spread to North America
On November 26, the World Health Organization named the novel coronavirus variant “B.1.1.529” recently discovered in South Africa “Omikron” and listed it as a mutant strain “need attention”.
So far, 6 countries in Europe alone have been “hit”, namely, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and France.
Among them, the situation in the Netherlands seems to be more worrying. On the 26th local time, 61 people on board were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus after two flights from South Africa to the Netherlands landed in Amsterdam, including 13 people infected with Omikron.
As testing is still continuing, more new variants of infected people are expected to be found. Dutch Health Minister De Jonge said to the current test results that “this may be just the tip of the iceberg”.
What’s more, on the 28th local time, Dutch police said that a couple who was positive for the novel coronavirus and in quarantine were arrested on a “plane about to take off” for trying to flee the country. The authorities did not provide details as to whether the two infected the virus to more people on their way out.
Except for Europe, there have been traces of “Omikron” in Asia, Africa, Oceania and even North America.
The latest news shows that on the 28th local time, there were also 2 cases of “Omikron” infected in Ottawa, Canada. They all of whom have a history of traveling in Nigeria and are currently being quarantined.
Many countries resume epidemic prevention measures such as “mask orders”
Israel and Japan close the border
Previously, many European countries had gradually relaxed epidemic prevention measures and even put forward the slogan of “coexisting with the virus”. The number of people wearing masks in streets and alleys has gradually decreased, and even resumed nightlife in many places. The scene of “singing and laughing” makes people seem to forget the existence of the novel coronavirus.
However, in the face of the aggressive “Omikron”, the mask he took off still had to be put on again.
From November 30 local time, the “compulsory mask order” lifted in July will be resumed in England, and people must wear masks in stores and when riding public transportation;
The Dutch government stipulates that all bars, restaurants and most stores will be closed after 17 o’clock every day as of 28 local time;
German President Steinmeier issued a document on the 28th local time calling on people to “reduce contact with others again”, and the German Academy of Sciences also called on the authorities to quickly implement “restricted access” measures.
In terms of border control, although epidemiologists believe that travel restrictions may be too late to stop the global spread of Omikron, many countries are still urgently tightening the relevant restrictions.
On the 27th local time, the Israeli government announced that it would ban all foreigners from entering the country, becoming the first country in the world to block the border due to the mutant of Omikron.
In addition, countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands and South Korea have also issued travel and entry controls on many countries in southern Africa that first discovered Omikron.
According to the latest news, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on the 29th that all foreigners will be prohibited from entering Japan in principle from 0 o’clock on the 30th.
EU: The top priority is to buy time
G7 Health Minister will hold an emergency meeting
Regarding “Omikron”, I’m afraid as long as you are an earthman, you will want to know the following questions:
- 1. How harmful is it?
- 2. Is the vaccine still useful?
- 3. What happens if you are infected?
Unfortunately, although scientists from the World Health Organization and many parts of the world have made it clear that they are studying it as soon as possible. However, it will take some time to draw a conclusion.
European Commission President von der Leyen also said on the 28th local time that “we know we are racing against time”, and she said that scientists and pharmacists “it takes two to three weeks” to understand “Omikron”, so it is time to ” spend time on preventive measures”.
Von der Leyen stressed, “The general route is to hope for the best, but to prepare for the worst. At present, the top priority is to maintain social distancing, reduce contact, get as many vaccines as possible and strengthen injections.
As the rotating chairman of the Group of Seven (G7), the British government has announced that G7 health ministers will hold an emergency meeting on the 29th, the theme of which is to discuss “Omikron”.
Previously, it was reported that some experts affirmed the active preventive measures. They pointed out that unlike Delta virus strains that were still raging until now, “Omikron” has attracted widespread global attention as soon as it was found, which may play a positive role in curbing the spread of the epidemic.
