The United Kingdom backtracks and requests PCR from all travelers in the face of the threat of the new variant of coronavirus

The Omicron variant spreads across Europe. Only a few days after South Africa alerted of its presence, there are several countries that have detected cases of this new strain, which has more than thirty mutations and worries the experts of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the United Kingdom they have already detected two positives and have rushed to reimpose restrictions that had already disappeared against the coronavirus. Thus, they have returned to introduce the mandatory mask indoors and, from now on, they will require a PCR -the antigen test will not be valid- negative to all travelers who want to enter the country.

But the measures do not stop there. The contacts of possible infected with Omicrom will have to keep a quarantine of 10 days and the British Government has ensured that speed up booster doses, reducing the times between the first and second puncture. “We don’t know how effective the vaccine will be, but we have good reason to believe that they will provide more prevention,” Boris Johnson said.

This has not been the only country that has confirmed the first infections of the new variable. For now, Germany has recorded two cases in Bavaria, while Italy and Belgium have detected two infections. With these, there are already four Ómicron positives that have been recorded in the European Union.

Also, at least 61 passengers of two flights from South Africa have tested positive for coronavirus after landing in Amsterdam, where they were subjected to a PCR upon arrival in the Netherlands when the ban on flights from southern African countries came into force. Although, it has not yet been confirmed if they carry the new Omicron variant.

Indeed, Ursula von der Leyen put on the table the possibility of restricting flights to southern Africa to prevent the spread of the virus and more and more countries have opted for this measure. Spain, for example, will take an order to the Council of Ministers on Tuesday to suspend flights with South Africa and Botswana.

On Germany has declared South Africa a risk zone and airlines will only be able to transfer national citizens. For its part, Italy has banned the entry into the country of people who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the last 14 days. The Austrian Executive has also spoken in favor of this measure and has closed the borders to people from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini. A restriction that it has also imposed in France.

This new variant has appeared in a context of concern on the European continent, that takes several weeks with an upward trend in infections, incidence and hospital pressure. The data is getting worse and worse and has led some countries to resume harsh measures, such as confinement, the closure of leisure and the recovery of the mask. Mandatory vaccination has also been put on the table by countries such as Germany or Austria, where vaccination rates are very low.