A new report released by Everstream Analytics noted that as of November 30, at least 70 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia have imposed travel restrictions from several countries in southern Africa where a new COVID-19 variant named Omicron was first discovered.
But in addition to the arrival of the new variant, it said that this reaction brings "multiple supply chain challenges" and implications including potential drop in air cargo capacity on key trade lanes, a continuance of elevated freight spot rates, and lack of personnel to keep the supply chain operations running.
"The World Health Organization has warned that a new COVID-19 variant named Omicron poses a high global risk. Despite significant questions remaining about the transmissibility of the variant and the severity of its effects, dozens of countries have started to implement new restrictions since November 26, including border closures and travel bans," it said, noting that several countries have identified cases of the highly mutated variant, including Canada, Japan, Spain, and Germany.
In total, at least 17 countries and territories have now confirmed Omicron cases.
"To slow the coronavirus variant’s spread, at least 70 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia have imposed travel restrictions from several countries in southern Africa where it was first discovered. Most countries and trading blocs such as the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, have been targeting travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe," it added.
Additionally, it said Israel, Morocco, and Japan have announced an entry ban for all foreign visitors, while Morocco has halted all incoming flights for two weeks.