WHO warns against travel curbs as a number of countries reinstate tough border measures to curb the new coronavirus variant.

Japan has announced it will reinstate tough border controls and bar all foreign arrivals because of the fast-moving Omicron coronavirus variant just weeks after a softening of strict entry rules.

Japan is the latest country to impose stricter border restrictions to limit the spread of the new coronavirus strain, which scientists say has a high number of mutations, potentially making its spread much faster

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against countries hastily imposing travel curbs. However, numerous bans have been introduced in recent days. The United Kingdom, European Union, and the United States are among those to impose travel restrictions on people in mostly Southern African nations.

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Japan to bar foreign visitors after Omicron threat

WHO warns against travel curbs as a number of countries reinstate tough border measures to curb the new coronavirus variant.

Japan’s borders have been almost entirely shut to new overseas visitors for most of the pandemic [File: Issei Kato/Reuters]

By Federica Marsi

Published On 29 Nov 2021

Japan has announced it will reinstate tough border controls and bar all foreign arrivals because of the fast-moving Omicron coronavirus variant just weeks after a softening of strict entry rules.

Japan is the latest country to impose stricter border restrictions to limit the spread of the new coronavirus strain, which scientists say has a high number of mutations, potentially making its spread much faster.

KEEP READINGSouth African president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bansAsian markets stabilise amid uncertainties over Omicron variantJapan to bar all foreign visitors over Omicron variant

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against countries hastily imposing travel curbs. However, numerous bans have been introduced in recent days. The United Kingdom, European Union, and the United States are among those to impose travel restrictions on people in mostly Southern African nations.

Here are the latest updates:

7 mins ago (08:23 GMT)WHO says Omicron poses “very high” global risk, countries must prepare

The Omicron variant is likely to spread internationally and could have “severe consequences” in some areas, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.

In technical advice to its 194 member states, the UN health agency urged them to accelerate the vaccination of high-priority groups and to “ensure mitigation plans are in place” to maintain essential health services.

“The overall global risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron is assessed as very high,” the WHO said.

Further research is needed to better understand Omicron’s potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines and previous infections. More data is expected in coming weeks.

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