Slap travel ban on all Omicron detected countries

Global news media reported that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus had been identified in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel, Germany, Italy, and Australia. This new variant has a faster rate of growth and WHO has categorised it as the most troubling category of coronavirus variant at par with its predecessor the Delta variant. In response, many countries in the world have already sealed their borders to protect the lives of their citizens as well as their economies. After the Delta variant fizzled out and the pandemic situation improved, global economies including that of Bangladesh started rebounding. The Covid-19 pandemic is not merely a health issue; the devastating and deadly virus has shattering effects on economies and societies across the world.

Under the given situation, the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 in Bangladesh on Sunday recommended a travel ban on countries where the new variant of coronavirus ‘Omicron’ was detected. The committee also advised the government to limit gatherings in political, social, and religious programmes as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of the spread of Omicron.

Other recommendations included a 14-day institutional quarantine of travellers who have recently visited Omicron-detected countries to prevent the transmission of the new variant, and ensure screening tests at port areas.

The new, rapidly mutating Covid-19 variant spread across the globe on Sunday, shutting borders, renewing curbs, and sparking fear among people in different corners of the earth. Dubbed Omicron, the strain has cast doubt on global efforts to battle the pandemic because of fears that it is highly infectious, forcing countries to reimpose measures many had hoped were a thing of the past.

Dutch health authorities said they had identified at least 13 cases of Omicron among 61 quarantined passengers who tested positive for coronavirus after arriving from South Africa.

With many European nations, including Germany and France, already bringing back curbs to counter surges in infections, Swiss voters broadly backed a proposed Covid pass law in a referendum on Sunday. A long list of countries has already imposed travel restrictions on southern Africa, where it was first detected, including key travel hub Qatar, the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Netherlands.

We want to remind the government about its past mistakes and shortcomings in its efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19 last year. Lack of institutional quarantine arrangements and delayed travel ban on European countries had a negative impact on the spread of the virus in Bangladesh. Any delay in policy decisions should be avoided. Equipping our public and private sector hospitals and health clinics with enough beds, oxygen, and ventilators is a prime need for saving lives and protecting the economy. The curse and prevalence of the pandemic is not going to be fixed anytime soon, as predicted by the World Health Organisation.

It is indeed a matter of concern that imposing curbs on movement, association or commercial activities has a direct impact on everyday life and the overall economy. The government has to be very prompt so that Omicron cannot get an easy entry in Bangladesh. Only a quick decision can save further spread of the virus. Despite the fact the government has been vaccinating almost all strata of people, the pace must be accelerated. Large scale immunization programme would help Bangladesh lessen the impacts of Covid-19.

With a death toll of 27,978 and infections of 15,75,784 from the coronavirus as of Sunday, Bangladesh has so far recorded a much lower number of fatalities compared to many countries in the globe. The government has to undertake further efforts in light of the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Committee. Extra cautiousness is the call of time now.