Czech Republic may have first case of Omicron strain

The Czech Republic may have the first case of the African strain of the coronavirus the B.1.1.529, also known as Omicron, commercial TV Nova reported on Saturday. The suspected sample which is undergoing further tests for final confirmation, is that of a woman from Liberec who recently returned from Namibia.

The Czech Republic has imposed travel restrictions on people returning from a number of southern African nations. Travellers who spent more than 12 hours in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia or Mozambique in the past 14 days will have to quarantine for 10 days upon entry to the Czech Republic. The restriction is valid for citizens from EU member states as well. Citizens from third countries who do not have long term residence in the Czech Republic will not be allowed entry.