- Dozens of countries have announced new travel bans since the omicron was dubbed a “worrying variant”.
- Experts agree that it could help buy time to build a response to the new variant, but a travel ban will not stop the spread.
- Experts warn there could be a huge cost in reporting new strains of the bacteria in the future.
As the world scrambles to understand the severity of the new omicron variant, dozens of countries – including the United States – added travel restrictions to limit the spread of the variant.
But are they effective?
Experts who spoke with USA TODAY agreed it could help buy time to build a response to the new variation, buttravel banwill not stop the spread. Another concern that experts share is the possible future effects of the emergence of variants – a concern that has been voiced by leaders in the World Health Organization. .
