Millions of people around the world are facing travel disruptions and increased restrictions on the spread of Covid-19 this Christmas as the rapid spread of omicrons has led to tighter security bubbles and canceled flights.
Italy, Spain and Greece have tightened restrictions, again making it mandatory to wear masks even when outdoors.
Catalonia, in northern Spain, has set a curfew at night, while the Netherlands has introduced a strict housekeeping.
Despite scientists’ findings to date that the omicron variant of Covid-19 is milder than other variants, scientists are concerned about an increase in infections.
In the United Kingdom, France and Italy, for example, a record number of infections were recorded on Thursday, 23 December.
Meanwhile, the local number of omicron cases in the United States has risen above the peak of the recent Delta wave, and the number of inpatients is rising across the country.
Dr Anthony Fauch, America’s leading expert on infectious diseases, warned earlier this week that Christmas travel would increase the prevalence of the omicron variant, even among fully vaccinated people.
On Christmas Eve, U.S. airlines said they were already suffering from staff shortages as flight crew members tested positive for Covid-19 and were forced to isolate themselves. According to information published on FlightAware’s website, United Airlines has canceled around 150 scheduled flights on 24 December due to a “nationwide increase in omicron cases”. Meanwhile, Delta Airlines has canceled 90 flights and Alaska Airlines another 17 flights after some employees were “suspected of being exposed to the virus,” according to AFP.
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In Australia, the spread of Covid-19 on Friday also affected thousands of Christmas trips, with more than 100 domestic flights from Sydney and Melbourne to other cities canceled.
A spokesman for Jetstar said the airline had rearranged “most” passengers “within hours of the original departure time” so they could get to their destination in time for Christmas.-
Despite the turmoil, many Australians are likely to celebrate the fact that they can travel between states for the first time in two years.
In the United Kingdom, meanwhile, trains are expected to be disrupted on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve due to the strike. In its Christmas message, its Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people to receive a support vaccine, giving a gift to the general public. Johnson has rejected the introduction of new restrictions on England before Christmas.
Many European countries are preparing to impose restrictions immediately after the holiday season, including Germany, which will limit private gatherings to 10 people and close nightclubs from 28 December. Football matches will also be held behind closed doors.
Portugal has closed bars and nightclubs since 26 December and has made work from home compulsory from that date until 9 January.
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