The world has somewhat managed to get used to the COVID pandemic, especially when travelling. Borders open and close, and people know to make their plans more flexible. But will this fragile balance drastically change with the arrival of the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus? And if yes, what sorts of changes should you expect? We wrote this short article to give you an idea of what the Omicron variant could mean for your trips abroad.
What is Omicron?
Omicron is a new variant of the COVID-19 virus that has been first found on December 1st in South Africa. Because COVID is a virus, it mutates very fast when moving from person to person, so new variants often behave slightly differently. The Omicron variant is not very well researched since it has only been discovered recently. Still, early reports seem to suggest it might be more infectious, it could re-infect people who were already sick with a different variant of the virus, and that vaccines might potentially not be as effective against this variant.
As to the severity of the variant, it is not conclusively known whether it can make you feel worse than other variants. If this info seems unsatisfying, it’s because it is incomplete. So far, the Omicron variant has been located in over twenty countries (and counting), but more research is needed before it’s clear how exactly it will behave. However, some countries like the US have already tightened their border security and have even wholly stopped any travel from South Africa.
Should I cancel my plans?
As the winter holidays slowly approach, many people want to travel home to see their families. Still, with the new Omicron variant looming over their plans, should people cancel their flights? Each case is different. It is recommended to make extensive plans and weigh all the pros and cons. For example, make sure you test a day or two before your flight and make plans for what you will do if you test positive – cancelled appointments, void flight tickets, and so on. However, you should also factor in things like your own mental health and how important it is for you and your family to meet – some risks are well worth considering.
There are also other things to think about. Fully vaccinated people might have an easier time catching the virus, though it is unclear if this extends to the new variant. At-risk people, people with lessened immunity, and people over 60 years of age should strongly consider cancelling their trips, as they are at higher risks of having a more severe reaction to the virus. Lastly, since meeting your family means meeting other people, think about others and their health situation.
If you are about to meet at-risk individuals, talk with them about the possible infection.
Overall, whether you should cancel your plans is just as difficult to decide as before the Omicron variant. Still, since it isn’t so well researched yet, it should be on your list of cons for sure, even if that does not change your overall decision.
