Around the whole world, more than two dozen countries have been detected last month by the COVID Omicron variant and are more likely to have been present in many more. And responses by the government to this variant have had an immediate impact on both travelling and student mobility.

While the risk of the Omicron variant is still unclear, as of 1 December 2021, authorities around the globe have started shutting down their borders to several African countries until further notice. Governments are also increasing border protocols such as quarantine and testing requirements.

Once Again Shutting of Borders due to Omicron

This COVID variant, which is first identified by scientists in South Africa, was spreading rapidly in the country in late November and has since been detected in multiple countries globally. COVID Omicron variant was likely to be circulating in the world before South Africa alerted governments, media and fellow scientists. But this has not stopped many countries governments from shutting down their borders to South Africa and several other African countries. Some countries have fully closed their borders to international travellers.

Here’s the roundup of Omicron-related border closures as of 1 December 2021.

Australia

Individuals having Omicron have already been found in Australia. As planned the country will not open its border for international students as well as skilled workers. Australian border opening has so far been delayed to December 15, 2021.

Also, the Australian government is scrapping its travel bubble with South Korea and Japan. The status quo will remain, in which the country’s border is closed all but there are some limited exemptions for permanent residents and immediate family, fully vaccinated Australian citizens, as well as the fully vaccinated green lane travellers coming from Singapore and New Zealand.

Canada

Omicron has already been found in Canada too. In the following countries travellers are not permitted entry:

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  Botswana

  
  


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  Egypt

  
  


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  Eswatini

  
  


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  Lesotho

  
  


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  Malawi

  
  


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  Mozambique

  
  


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  Namibia

  
  


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  Nigeria

  
  


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  South Africa

  
  


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  Zimbabwe

  
  

Moreover, all fully vaccinated travellers coming by air from departure points other than the US will be subjected to the arrival testing. And these fully vaccinated individuals will be required to quarantine themselves while they wait for the results of their arrival test.

As for the unvaccinated individuals, they will continue to be tested on arrival and on the 8th day. They have to remain in quarantine for 14 days. However, while waiting for the on-arrival test result individuals arriving by air will now be required to stay in the designated quarantine facility or other suitable location.

China

China has not reported the presence of Omicron in the country till now. Borders will still remain close, as they have been for many months.

France

In France, eight suspected Omicron cases have been found. All vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers who are not coming from EU countries have to show negative COVID Test repost. Flights arriving from Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe have been suspended.

Germany

Omicron has already started circulating in Germany, and COVID cases have recently been increasing. Except for German citizens or residents, others have been banned arrivals from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi and Lesotho by the German authorities.

Japan

Omicron has been found in Japan. For at least a month, all foreign arrivals are banned by the Japanese authorities.

Russia

Till now, Russia has not reported any cases of the Omicron variant. Non-Russian travellers are not permitted to enter the country from -

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  Botswana

  
  


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  Eswatini

  
  


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  Lesotho

  
  


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  Madagascar

  
  


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  Mozambique

  
  


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  Namibia

  
  


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  South Africa

  
  


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  Tanzania

  
  


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  Zimbabwe

  
  

Spain

Spain has detected Omicron in the country. Individuals arriving from the following countries were quarantined for 10 days. They can also end their quarantine period after a negative virus test on the 7th day.

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  Botswana

  
  


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  Eswatini

  
  


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  Lesotho

  
  


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  Mozambique

  
  


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  Namibia

  
  


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  South Africa

  
  


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  Zimbabwe

  
  

UK (United Kingdom)

Omicron has already been found in the United Kingdom. For several weeks, the spread of COVID has been accelerating in the areas of the United Kingdom. This results in prompting the government to reinstate mandatory mask-wearing in stores, post offices, banks, hairdressers and on public transport.

As for travelling, the government has announced that all the international arrivals in the country must take a PCR Test by the end of the 2nd day after their arrival. Also, individuals have to self-isolate until they get the negative report.

PCR tests have been available online from private providers. In addition to this, the below-mentioned countries have been added to the UK’s “red list” of countries from which travellers are banned to enter the country:

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  Angola

  
  


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  Botswana

  
  


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  Eswatini

  
  


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  Lesotho

  
  


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  Malawi

  
  


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  Mozambique

  
  


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  Namibia

  
  


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  South Africa

  
  


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  Zambia

  
  


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  Zimbabwe

  
  

USA

Omicron is now circulating in the United States. The American government has banned Travel to and from the following countries:

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  Botswana

  
  


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  Eswatini

  
  


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  Lesotho

  
  


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  Malawi

  
  


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  Mozambique

  
  


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  Namibia

  
  


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  South Africa

  
  


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  Zimbabwe

  
  

The government has made it mandatory for all international arrivals either vaccinated or unvaccinated to be tested for COVID one day before their departure, regardless of their vaccination status.

According to The Washington Post reports the administration is also considering a requirement for the 2nd test within 3-5 days of arrival, as well as a quarantine period of 7 days.

International Students Affected

The new border closure has severely affected many international students. This can be illustrated in Michael Lee case, an American citizen based in New Jersey. To pursue a business degree in Australia he has left his job and also sold his car & furniture. His flight was supposed to leave on December 1, 2021. But then he heard the new border closure rule. Now he is homeless and jobless.

This is the situation with one of the individuals. There are many more people who are affected by this sudden border closure rule.

Travel Industry Braces for Downturn

According to Gary Bowerman, director of Kuala Lumpur-based travel and tourism research firm Check-in Asia, the Omicron variant will surely affect the resumption of intra-regional travel in Asia.

Whether science proves it to be justified or not the problem for the travelling industries is that the fear factor has returned almost overnight. And this coincides with 2 of the region’s traditional travel periods: Lunar New Year and Christmas/New Year.

Story is Developing

Due to the fear about the Omicron Variant, many countries had snapped their border lockdowns across the globe, but still much remains unclear about this Corona variant. Till now this variant seems to be more infectious, but not proven. This variant may make the current vaccines less effective and weaken the immune system response of the bodies, but then again it has not been determined yet.

A scientist from South Africa has described its symptoms as different and milder than the other COVID strains. But as more and more cases are developing, the relative severity of the mutation can be found out. Of course, this is the early stage of the understanding of Omicron. The preventative measures for travelling are likely to continue in the upcoming days.