The first two variants of the Omicron COVID are reported in India

Two men in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant after returning from overseas.

Six samples from people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the national capital Delhi, and another six samples from the western state of Maharashtra, have all been sent for genome sequencing to determine the variant.

Starting Wednesday, India announced new travel restrictions for international passengers arriving from “at risk” countries a list that includes UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Israel.

Different Indian states have announced different policies for travellers - all passengers flying in to Maharashtra from “at-risk” countries will have to spend seven days in institutional quarantine.