Tue, 21-Oct-2025

UK travel sector wants help as Omicron curbs introduced

LONDON: Britain’s beleaguered travel industry called on Tuesday for government assistance to soften the blow of the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said that the latest travel curbs, rolled out on Tuesday to try to prevent transmission, risked holiday firms going bust. “As additional travel restrictions come … Read more

New York announces private sector vaccine mandate

Helping overcome COVID-19 vaccine shortage could rebuild U.S. standing: FT

NEW YORK – New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced a blanket Covid-19 vaccine mandate for the private sector in the United States’ biggest city, starting from late December. The order goes further than a nationwide mandate set by President Joe Biden for companies with more than 100 employees to vaccinate workers by … Read more

Omicron spreads in US, Australia

Omicron spreads in US, Australia

WASHINGTON, Dec 3, 2021 (AFP) – The United States and Australia announced their first locally transmitted cases of the Omicron variant as authorities worldwide rushed on Friday to stem the spread of the heavily mutated Covid-19 strain. The World Health Organization has warned it could take weeks to determine whether Omicron is more transmissible and whether it causes … Read more

Omicron empties South Africa safari lodges

WHO has no reports yet of Omicron Covid deaths

HOEDSPRUIT – Sabine Stam didn’t expect to have her feet up, sipping white wine on the deck of a half-empty safari lodge near South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Her tour company was full of bookings for the December peak season. Then Omicron came. First reported by South African scientists to the World Health Organization on … Read more

Covid Omicron diagnosed in Europe 11 days ago, jolts markets on vaccine fears

Covid Omicron diagnosed in Europe 11 days ago, jolts markets on vaccine fears

On Tuesday, the CEO of drugmaker Moderna (MRNA.O) raised additional concerns in financial markets with a warning that existing COVID-19 vaccinations will be less successful against the new Omicron form than they had been against the Delta variant. Stephane Bancel’s statements sparked fears that vaccine resistance could extend the pandemic. Bancel told in an interview … Read more