New York, U.S. | Xinhua | United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres argued on Tuesday that “the only way out of a global pandemic and out of this unjust and immoral situation is through a global vaccination campaign.” The secretary-general was speaking at a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York …
Read More »Blanket travel bans will not prevent int’l spread of Omicron variant: WHO
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday that blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, even as dozens of countries have already introduced such restrictions. Although labeling Omicron as a “variant of concern”, the WHO said blanket travel …
Read More »Governments should allow popular debate on COVID-19 restrictions – Experts
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Governments that continue to implement COVID-19 restrictions must allow the people to voice their concerns to lead to better management of the pandemic, experts have said. Speaking at the 8th virtual townhall meeting themed ‘continuous religious freedom concerns during COVID-19 in Uganda’ on Nov.29, Sean …
Read More »Omicron variant found in earlier test samples from November in Netherlands
Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern The Hague, Netherlands | Xinhua | The Omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in test samples taken in the Netherlands from Nov. 19 to 23 this year, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) announced on Tuesday. “In a special PCR test, the …
Read More »Opposition tasks gov’t on new Covid-19 variant response
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Opposition in Parliament has tasked the government to undertake necessary measures to detect and prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. The new Covid-19 variant is reported to have originated in South Africa and spread to different countries. It has sent …
Read More »Biden urges calm over Omicron COVID-19 variant, promises efforts for modified vaccines
Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday sought to reassure the country about the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, telling Americans that his administration was working with vaccine manufacturers to modify vaccines and booster shots should that prove necessary. “We’re throwing everything we have at this …
Read More »Unvaccinated people won’t be allowed in Kampala next year – Minister
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Government will not allow people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 to operate in the city come January 2022. The state minister for Kampala and metropolitan affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye made the announcement in Kikuubo – the city’s wholesale hub. He repeatedly sounded the ultimatum in …
Read More »WHO warns against border closures as Omicron variant spreads
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Despite a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations. In a statement, the organization warns that travel bans may …
Read More »Netherlands reports 13 cases of Omicron variant
Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern The Hague, Netherlands | Xinhua | The Dutch health authority said Sunday that it has found 13 cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant among passengers on flights from South Africa. The cases were identified among 61 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus, the National Institute …
Read More »U.S. scrambles to take actions over Omicron variant’s chilling effect
United States imposed travel restrictions on southern African countries New York, U.S. | Xinhua | The newly-discovered Omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa has raised fears about the global trajectory of the pandemic, while some countries including the United States have raced to impose travel restrictions on southern African countries. …
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