New variant appears to cause less severe illness than previous versions of coronavirus, but seems to be more easily transmitted and is better at evading vaccines

PM's office says all in premier's entourage will follow Health Ministry instructions and undergo a second test on Wednesday

Visiting vaccination center, PM Johnson estimates that 40% of coronavirus cases in London are Omicron, notes hospitalizations are rising

Finance minister regrets saying they should find new jobs, but doubles down on assertion it's the only way forward amid ongoing COVID restrictions

Experts also don't recommend cutting down period between second vaccine dose and booster, but propose increasing recovery period for Omicron patients

Travel agents and tour guides fume as foreign tourists still banned from entering, list of 'red' countries for Israelis to be updated daily

Britain's PM says everyone over 18 to be eligible for COVID booster shot by end of December; health agency warns existing vaccines appear less effective against new variant

UN health agency cites data indicating infections from new variant are 'mild' or asymptomatic, predicts it will overtake Delta 'where community transmission occurs'

While regions across the country open up for inoculated Austrians, those who have not had shots only allowed out for specific reasons

Echoing discourse during previous pandemic waves, officials express concern over impact of new variant along with low vaccine rate