WASHINGTON/PARIS: Air travellers to the United States will face tougher Covid-19 testing rules in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. Other countries have also tightened border controls as a European leader urged all concerned to “prepare for the worst”.
Staving off Omicron while scientists establish how easily it can spread and whether it can evade vaccine protection is a “race against time”, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union’s xecutive commission, said, emphasising the role of vaccines. “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” she said.
Hong Kong hardened travel rules for Japan, Portugal and Sweden, while Uzbekistan said it would suspend flights with Hong Kong as well as South Africa. Malaysia temporarily barred travellers from eight African countries and said Britain and the Netherlands could join the list.