PETALING JAYA Nov 29 (FMT): Malaysia and the world must prepare for the worst in the face of the new Omicron variant, using border controls and travel bans \u2013 even if unpopular \u2013 until more is known about the new Covid-19 strain, a researcher says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Lam Sai Kit, a research consultant at Universiti Malaya and Academy of Sciences Malaysia senior fellow, said governments can tailor their responses accordingly when more information is available in the ensuing weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the meantime, Malaysia and the world must be prepared for a worst-case scenario,\u201d he said, with measures such as travel bans, enhanced border surveillance and genome sequencing efforts especially with foreign tourists from affected countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo reimpose travel restrictions of any kind is not a popular move and will certainly further damage the global economy. But what else can we do to prevent or at least slow down the variant from spreading outside of South Africa?\u201d he said<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to be proactive to protect our borders, and one way is to impose travel restrictions, no matter how unpopular this is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Omicron strain was classified by the World Health Organization today as a Variant of Concern \u2013 the most threatening category for Covid-19 strains. It has been detected largely in Southern Africa, but has also been found in Hong Kong, Belgium and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lam said \u201cwe do not know the disease severity of Omicron\u201d and whether the present PCR and rapid antigen tests would still work well, or if vaccines now in use will still be effective against Omicron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, current measures such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, avoiding crowded spaces, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, will still work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGetting vaccinated as well as getting the booster dose is still highly recommended.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n