Omicron and global Covid-19 surge set to test China’s health defences

Name: Asia tightens borders as spread of new coronavirus variant Omicron clouds region’s return to travel
Uploaded: 2021-11-30T14:30:25.000Z
Duration: 2 min 30 s
Description: Asia tightens borders as spread of new coronavirus variant Omicron clouds region’s return to travel

Authorities to fortify border checks and track conditions overseas to prevent incoming infections

Health official confident the country’s zero-Covid response will block community transmission

Reading Time:3 minutes

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Existing preventive measures in China will be effective in helping limit spread of the new variant, health authorities say. Photo: EPA-EFE

Zhuang Pinghui

Published: 10:30pm, 30 Nov 2021Updated: 11:26pm, 30 Nov 2021

China is doubling down on its zero-Covid containment strategy as the new Omicron variant and a surge in coronavirus cases test the country’s health defences.

National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said on Tuesday that Covid-19 cases were on the rise around the world, with daily numbers nearing previous highs.

“The Omicron variant has [also] been spreading in some countries and regions, putting increasing pressure on China to prevent the virus from being introduced into the country,” Mi said.

China has battled frequent community outbreaks since the summer when the more transmissible Delta variant became the dominant pandemic strain.

On Saturday, three people tested positive in routine tests in Manzhouli, a city in northern Inner Mongolia, and are believed to have passed the virus on to 70 others by Monday.

02:30

Asia tightens borders as spread of new coronavirus variant Omicron clouds region’s return to travel

When the Omicron variant emerged last week, a number of countries quickly imposed travel restrictions or closed borders.

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