Russia detects Omicron variant in 16 people

The new Omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in 16 out of 177 people arriving in Russia from South Africa, which proves its high transmissibility, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Policy Tatyana Golikova said on Monday.

"The Omicron variant was detected in 16 out of 177 people who returned [to Russia] today. All of them remain under observation, but there is only one reason why I am citing this data - to reconcile these figures. It stands at almost 10%, a fairly high level, and this points to high transmissibility and possible spread," TASS cited Golikova as saying.

According to the decree issued by Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova, from December 8, those arriving in Russia from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Eswatini, South Africa and Hong Kong must self-isolate for two weeks. Furthermore, they need to be tested for COVID-19 by the PCR method twice, the first test has to be carried out within two days after arrival and the second one - on the 10th or 12th day.