The emergence of the Omicron variant of covid-19 is already worrying all nations, and several measures are being taken. For now it is the turn of the United States and Russia to announce restrictions on the entry of foreigners from South Africa, Mozambique and other countries in the region due to the emergence of this new variant.

This Friday, the United States announced a border closure to travelers from eight southern African countries in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of covid-19, as it has already been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

As of Monday, people from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Esuatini (formerly Swaziland), and Malawi are banned from entering U.S. territory.

However, in a statement, the US explains that only US citizens and permanent residents of the United States will be allowed to enter the country.

It comes just days after US President Joe Biden announced the reopening of the country's borders to travelers from around the world in early November, after 20 months of restrictions.

Russia has also announced a ban on citizens of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Esuatini (formerly Swaziland), Tanzania, and Hong Kong.

According to the Russian government, the decision will also apply to foreigners who have stayed in these countries in the last ten days.