Omicron is reported in the UK, Germany and Italy

The U.S State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday advised against travel to eight southern African countries after the White House announced travel restrictions in response to a new COVID-19 variant.

“I cannot stress enough: One, if you have not had the booster shot, get the booster shot. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting vaccinated for those who have not been vaccinated.”

Britain detected two cases of the new variant on Saturday. Dutch health authorities said they had detected 61 COVID-19 cases among people who flew from South Africa on Friday and believe at least some infections are the omicron variant.

Although epidemiologists say travel curbs may be too late to stop Omicron from circulating globally, many countries around the world - including the United States, Brazil, Canada and European Union nations - announced travel bans or restrictions on southern Africa on Friday.