Saudi Arabia confirms first case of Omicron variant
The detection of Omicron in Saudi Arabia comes days after the kingdom suspended flights to 14 African countries.
Saudi Arabia has identified an individual infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant, marking the Gulf region’s first reported case of the potentially more contagious coronavirus strain.
The state-run SPA news agency quoted a Saudi Health Ministry source as saying the case was detected in a "citizen arriving back from a North African country." The individual is in quarantine and an epidemiological investigation is underway, SPA reported.
Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia halted flights to 14 African countries — Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Mauritius Comoros, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini — in an effort to contain the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
Under new travel rules, non-Saudis are banned from entering the kingdom if they have visited any of the listed African countries in the 14 days prior to their arrival. Saudi citizens and expats who are permitted entry must quarantine for five days.
