Bangladesh will suspend travel to and from South Africa after a new variant of Covid-19, named Omicron, was detected in the African country, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Saturday.
The minister came up with the fresh announcement in an audio speech before he left Dhaka for Geneva to attend the "World Health Assembly Second Special Session", according to a statement from the ministry.
“The health ministry is aware of the new variant and directives have already been given to take necessary steps for tackling it in the country,” he said, adding that the authorities concerned of the health sector have been asked to remain alert.
“The new African variant is very aggressive and that’s why we are halting travel with [South] Africa. Meanwhile, instructions have been given to strengthen screening at all the entry points, including airports and land ports, of Bangladesh,” the minister said.
Zahid Maleque, however, urged the countrymen not to panic over the new variant and requested to follow the health rules strictly.
The discovery of the new coronavirus variant has triggered global alarm as countries rushed to suspend travel from southern Africa, reports Reuters.
The World Health Organization said Omicron may spread more quickly than other forms, and preliminary evidence suggested there is an increased risk of reinfection.
Epidemiologists warned travel curbs may be too late to stop Omicron from circulating globally.
The new mutations were first discovered in South Africa and have since been detected in Belgium, Botswana, Israel, and Hong Kong.
