“Cooler heads need to prevail.” Here’s what the future of the travel industry looks like with the rise of cases of the Omicron variant

The South African government is upset. 

Several weeks ago, another variant of the COVID-19 virus, the Omicron variant, was discovered in the country. 

Here’s a brief background about what health experts know so far about Omicron... 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, early data indicates the Omicron variant may more easily reinfect people who have already had the virus or been vaccinated than previous variants. However, the new variant seems to cause milder diseases compared to the Delta variant. 

“Emerging data from South Africa suggests increased risk of reinfection with Omicron. There is also some evidence that Omicron causes milder disease than Delta.” 

Despite that fact, many countries immediately imposed new travel restrictions and banned people who are traveling from South African countries from entering their territories. Among these are Morocco, Israel, the UK, and the US. 

Morocco

On November 28, 2021, Morocco’s Foreign Ministry announced it is banning all air travel to the country for two weeks (now extended for two more weeks). Take note: The Omicron variant was discovered in South Africa on November 24, 2021, and 4 days after that, the Moroccan government quickly made this move to completely shut down its borders overnight, leaving many travelers stranded. 

In a Twitter post, the country’s ministry said the 2-week travel restriction was designed to “preserve the achievements realized by Morocco in the fight against the pandemic, and to protect the health of citizens.” 

The only assurance the government left for the people is that it would regularly evaluate the move and make adjustments should the need arise. 

Israel 

A day before Morocco banned all air travel to the country for two weeks, Israel closed its borders to non-citizen international travelers for two weeks and reinstated its quarantine rules. This came as Israel’s Health Ministry recorded 7 suspected cases and 1 confirmed case of infection of the Omicron variant on November 27, 2021. 

According to the country’s quarantine measures, Israelis who arrive from abroad must undergo mandatory quarantine for three days. Those coming from the “red” category, consisting primarily of South African countries, must be quarantined in designated hotels while waiting for their COVID-19 test results. 

In addition to its Omicron variant response, the Israeli government developed a phone-tracking technology that will enable the security agency to locate carriers of the new variant. This will make the containment of the virus easier. 

United Kingdom 

If you’re planning to go to the UK anytime soon, you might want to check some ongoing developments in the country’s COVID-19 response first before pushing through with your plans. 

According to a recent announcement by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, all travelers arriving in the UK must take a PCR test before the end of their day two post-arrival. While waiting for a negative test result, they must undergo mandatory quarantine. 

The Prime Minister’s announcement came after 2 Omicron cases were identified in the UK. The infections were discovered in Nottingham and Chelmsford from people who had been to South Africa recently. 

Below are five things you need to know about the UK’s new Omicron travel measures: 

• You must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before going to the UK. 

Anyone aged 12 years old and above traveling to the UK must show a negative pre-departure test. The test should be completed no more than 48 hours before your departure. If your trip is a multi-leg journey, you can take your test 2 days before the start of the first leg. 

Once your test result has been processed, you will receive a certificate to be presented to the airline, cruise, or train operator you are traveling in. 

• You must use a private test provider that meets the UK government’s standards. 

If you’re coming from a nation outside the UK, make sure you use a private test provider that declares it meets the UK government’s minimum standards for commercial testing. The main piece of advice: Book your tests as far in advance to be safe, especially if you’re also required to submit a video consultancy of the test. 

• You must isolate yourself and take another PCR test after arriving in the UK. 

Aside from the pre-travel requirements, you must undergo another PCR test upon arriving in the UK and isolate yourself until your test result comes out as negative. This requirement is compulsory regardless of your vaccination status. 

If you’ve already been fully vaccinated, you will be asked to take a PCR test on or before the second day of your arrival in the country. Once you receive a negative test result, you’ll be allowed to leave the isolation facility. 

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you’ll be required to take a day two and day eight test. You might also be asked to isolate yourself for ten days even if your test result is negative. 

• You must fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before traveling in the country. 

Everyone traveling to the UK must fill out a PLF no later or earlier than 48 hours before they arrive. Travelers must not forget this form as they will be required to provide a unique code as proof that they have their testings arranged. 

• You must show proof of your vaccination to make your travel easier. 

Depending upon the day two testing service you book, you could be out of self-isolation within hours after arriving in the UK as long as you are fully vaccinated. 

However, if you are unvaccinated, you will be required to quarantine for much longer, which could cause disruptions to your visit to the country. 

Aside from the travel measures stated above, the UK Prime Minister also announced that mandatory face coverings would be required on public transport and in shops across the country. He also added that those who know they’ve been in contact with a suspected Omicron case must immediately self-isolate for ten days, even if they’ve already been vaccinated. 

As of November 26, 2021, the UK’s travel red list included South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia. 

United States 

At the start of December, the Biden administration announced a plan of action to ward off the spread of the new Omicron variant, which was first detected in a California man and a Minnesota man. 

The new protocols, announced on December 2, 2021, include shoring up pre-departure testing requirements for international travel. This means, starting December 6, 2021, all travelers entering the US (whether US citizens or non-US citizens, vaccinated or unvaccinated) must produce a negative COVID-19 test taken within one calendar day of their departure. 

The move is designed to limit the spread of the new variant that has already entered the country. Additionally, the Biden administration has implemented a temporary ban restricting travel from 8 South African countries. 

The federal mask mandate for planes, trains, and other forms of public transportation has also been extended until March 18, 2022. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will continue to enforce mask-wearing, and violators will be fined USD 500 to USD 3,000 depending on the violations. 

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With all these travel bans limiting travelers from South African countries from going anywhere else, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep disappointment about several countries’ “unjustified” restrictions. 

He said, 

“The only thing a travel ban will do is further damage the economies of the affected countries and undermine their ability to respond and recover from the pandemic.” 

In an earlier statement, South Africa’s Foreign Ministry also expressed disappointment that other countries chose to “punish” South Africa by imposing travel bans rather than “praise” them for early detection of the Omicron variant. 

As the WHO emphasized, clinical data points to milder Omicron symptoms and less severe diseases compared to the Delta variant. Additionally, given the COVID-19 vaccinations and new treatments that are now available.  The knee-jerk reaction of shutting the borders does little to stop the spread of the virus. If anything, the distrust and lack of solidarity between countries are counterproductive.

The world is grappling with the new reality that Covid-19 and its sub-variants are here to stay. Rather than attempt to eradicate it, we need to learn to live with it and manage it just like we do the flu or the common cold (that also happened to be a Coronavirus). 

Travel shutdowns have not proven effective, and it’s time for a more nuanced approach. This public health crisis needs a scalpel, not a hammer.