Omicron Variant: Canada reports 2 cases of recent travellers from Nigeria; Japan joins countries restricting entry of foreign visitors

Canada says two cases of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the country’s capital, Ottawa.

Canadian officials said on Sunday that the two individuals had recently traveled from the African nation of Nigeria.

The two are said to be the first announced cases of the Omicron variant in North America. The variant was first reported in South Africa.

The White House says US President Joe Biden met his Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci and members of his COVID Response Team on Sunday.

Fauci is reported to have told Biden that it will take about two more weeks to have more definitive information on the new variant. But he reportedly said he continues to believe existing vaccines are likely to provide a degree of protection against severe cases of COVID.

The United States announced earlier it will restrict travel from eight southern African nations, including South Africa.

Japan has become the latest country to join the train of others restricting entry of foreign visitors into their countries as the new COVID-19 variant spreads.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Monday that Japan will suspend entry of all foreign visitors into the country saying the measure will take effect from Tuesday.

The decision means Japan will restore border controls that it eased earlier this month for short-term business visitors, foreign students and workers.

Over the weekend, Japan tightened entry restrictions for people arriving from South Africa and eight other countries, requiring them to undergo a 10-day quarantine period at government-designated facilities.