The emergence of the novel COVID virus new variant, Omicron, in South Africa would have a significant impact on Indian expats who had planned to travel their home country to be with their families for Christmas. Expats are now being compelled to postpone their travel plans, fearful that if west Asian countries seal their borders in the event of further spread, they will be stuck there.
Furthermore, if the Omicron infection spreads, the chances of foreign tourists visiting Kerala will be minimal. Kerala has intensified screening and testing at its four airports for all international passengers arriving from or transiting through South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, Brazil, Bangladesh, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, Zimbabwe, and Israel.
