Germany puts UK on high-risk COVID list as Omicron stalks Europe

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Germany puts UK on high-risk COVID list as Omicron stalks Europe

Dec 19, 2021: Germany’s health authority has announced that the UK has been added to the list of high-risk countries for COVID 19, which would mean tougher travel restrictions, as Europe curbs the growing number of infections linked to the highly mutated omicron strain. 

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the Omicron variant could dominate Europe by mid-January.

Many countries are re-imposing travel bans and other measures in the weeks following the first such discovery in South Africa. Germany’s decision late on Saturday was in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, which forced London Mayor Sadiq Khan to announce a “major incident” in the British capital on Saturday.

The change will take effect at midnight on Sunday.

More than 65,000 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in London over the past seven days, with 26,418 cases reported in the last 24 hours – the highest number since the onset of the pandemic.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden will deliver a speech on Tuesday addressing the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing a White House official.

Australian officials said on Sunday that there was no need to stop the Christmas festivities until new COVID-19 infections spread in Sydney, with the country’s high vaccination rate helping keep people out of hospital. Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was confident Australia would not have to follow in the footsteps of the Netherlands, which has imposed strict lockdowns to prevent the spread of highly contagious Omicron variety during Christmas and New Year.

In Netherlands, people are now only allowed two guests at home, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, December 26 and the New Year period when four guests are permitted. All non-essential shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and theatres must shut from Sunday until January 14, while schools must close until at least January 9, Rutte said on Saturday.

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