Global concern about the coronavirus pandemic is growing, with a number of countries detecting confirmed cases of the Omicron variant for the first time.
Travel restrictions are also being imposed once again as governments suspend flights from southern Africa, the region where this strain was first detected.
Here is a look at the latest COVID-19 developments around the world.
Japan
The Japanese government has announced it will close its borders to all foreigners from Tuesday.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: “We are responding to the Omicron variant with a strong sense of urgency.”
Travel restrictions are being imposed once again as governments suspend flights from southern Africa
Israel
On Saturday, Israel unveiled plans to ban all foreigners from entering the country, having already identified cases in the country.
There are fears that B.1.1.529 could be more contagious than other variants – and more resistant to vaccines.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the ban would last for 14 days, if…
