The world is locking borders again due to the emergence of the new coronavirus, Kim Inflammation (COVID-19), an Omicron mutant virus. For countries in southern Africa where the Omicron mutation is spreading, strong lockdown measures such as entry bans, quarantines, and flight bans have been preemptively introduced.
The US administration announced on the 26th (local time) that it would restrict entry to travelers from eight countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswati, Mozambique and Malawi, starting on the 29th. However, nationals and permanent residents are excluded. Canada has also announced entry restrictions for these countries.
The 27 member states of the European Union (EU) have agreed to temporarily restrict entry into South Africa to prevent the influx of omicron mutations. The target countries are South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Travelers from these countries are strictly managed under the control of health authorities. The UK and Russia also plan to implement strong regulatory measures, such as blocking flights from southern Africa, bans entry of non-natives, and quarantine.
Asian countries such as India, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, as well as Middle Eastern countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced entry restrictions on southern African countries one after another, and Australia has made mandatory quarantine for travelers from South Africa. promote a plan to
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has also postponed the Ministerial Meeting to be held from the 30th to the 3rd of next month. This decision was made in consideration of travel restrictions in each country due to the emergence of omicron mutations. For this meeting, more than 100 trade ministers from each country were scheduled to gather in Geneva, Switzerland, where the WTO headquarters is located.
Concrete blocks and barricades are being installed in front of the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of security measures in preparation for the 12th Ministerial Meeting on the 25th. However, this meeting was also postponed as countries imposed travel restrictions after the emergence of the Omicron mutant virus. Geneva = EPA
Omicron mutations were first discovered in Botswana on the 11th of this month and are currently spreading rapidly in South Africa. There were also confirmed cases in Israel and Belgium, and the possibility of a secondary infection in Hong Kong is being discussed. According to Newsweek, the US current affairs week, as of the 25th, the number of infected with the Omicron mutation was 87 in South Africa, 6 in Botswana, 2 in Hong Kong, 1 in ISL, and 1 in Belgium. However, in South Africa, there are more than 990 suspected cases. It is difficult to rule out the possibility that the number of confirmed cases will increase exponentially.
The World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency meeting on the same day and named a mutation newly discovered in southern Africa ‘Omicron’ and designated it as a ‘mutant of concern’. It is the fifth variable of concern after alpha, beta, gamma and delta. “Preliminary evidence suggests that there is a greater risk of reinfection compared to other variants,” the WHO said.
Omicron mutations have 32 gene mutations in the spike (protrusion) protein. Considering that the current dominant species, the delta mutation, has 16 mutations, it is twice as many. Viruses use the spike protein to penetrate into the host cell, so if the spike protein is mutated, the infectivity can be increased and the vaccine effectiveness can be affected.
On the same day, the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), a health authority in the European Union, also evaluated the overall risk of Omicron mutation as ‘HIGH to VERY HIGH’. It corresponds to level 5, just below the highest level, out of 6 levels ranging from ‘LOW’ to ‘VERY HIGH’. ECDC said, “Considering the potential for omicron mutation to be contagious and immune-evading, the likelihood of further influx and community spread within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) is assessed as ‘high’.” He urged the urgent need to expand booster shots (boost shots).
Kim Pyo-hyang reporter suzak@hankookilbo.com
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