it s the sheer number and type of mutations that has scientists here troubled. some of them have never been seen in a combination like this before. many of them we ve seen in various variants of concern so far, but it s the complexity of the mutations that we re seeing today and the effects that it may have on both the immune response and transmissibility that are a huge concern. with belgium recording europe s first case of the omicron variant, the european commission in brussels called for a suspension of air travel to affected african countries. we do know that mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months. it is now important that all of us in europe act very swiftly, decisively and united. vaccine companies say they can prepare updated versions of theirjabs,
that we re seeing today and the effects that it may have on both the immune response and transmissibility that are a huge concern. with belgium recording europe s first case of the omicron variant, the european commission in brussels called for a suspension of air travel to affected african countries. we do know that mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months. it is now important that all of us in europe act very swiftly, decisively and united. vaccine companies say they can prepare updated versions of theirjabs, perhaps within 100 days, if the omicron variant is found to evade immunity. fergus walsh, bbc news. health authorities in the netherlands say that initial test results appear to show that dozens of people who arrived on two flights from south africa to amsterdam
like this before. many of them we ve seen in various variants of concern so far, but it s the complexity of the mutations that we re seeing today and the effects that it may have on both the immune response and transmissibility that are a huge concern. with belgium recording europe s first case of the omicron variant, the european commission in brussels called for a suspension of air travel to affected african countries. we do know that mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months. it is now important that all of us in europe act very swiftly, decisively and united. vaccine companies say they can prepare updated versions of theirjabs, perhaps within 100 days, if the omicron variant is found to evade immunity. fergus walsh, bbc news.
and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months. it is now important that all of us in europe act very swiftly, decisively and united. vaccine companies say they can prepare updated versions of theirjabs, perhaps within 100 days, if the omicron variant is found to evade immunity. fergus walsh, bbc news. health authorities in the netherlands say that initial test results appear to show that dozens of people who arrived on two flights from south africa to amsterdam on friday are likely to be infected with covid 19. the passengers have been kept isolated from other travellers at schiphol airport because of concerns about the new variant. meanwhile, peaceful protests are continuing in the netherlands, after the dutch prime minister, mark rutte, announced that bars, restaurants and most shops in the country must close from 5pm to 5am from sunday. he said the tougher restrictions were needed
concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months. it is now important that all of us in europe act very swiftly, decisively and united. vaccine companies say they can prepare updated versions of their jabs, perhaps within 100 days, if the 0micron variant is found to evade immunity. fergus walsh, bbc news. as we ve just been hearing, the first confirmed cases of the new variant were found in south africa and botswana. the suspension of travel by the uk and other countries will affect travellers from there, as well as from namibia, zimbabwe, lesotho and eswatini which was swaziland. the south african government and scientific community have criticised the move, saying it will cause more damage than good. from there, our africa correspondent, andrew harding reports. a technical university in pretoria,