Covid travel update for Canada - Omicron variant

[ThePachenas]

according to the actual doctors handling the actual cases of this new strain, Omicron spreads easily but has much reduced symptoms. Body aches seem to be the worst.

I was SO optimistic at those early reports.

Unfortunately, the science on the new strain is developing as more data in more countries becomes available.

Early reports hadn't allow the hospitalizations/deaths to occur yet.

Still shocked that Jamaica hasn't mandated fully vax'd for tourists yet.

[Rob]

I was SO optimistic at those early reports.

Unfortunately, the science on the new strain is developing as more data in more countries becomes available.

Early reports hadn't allow the hospitalizations/deaths to occur yet.

Still shocked that Jamaica hasn't mandated fully vax'd for tourists yet.

Correct for the latest countries to become infected with Omicron.

But in South Africa, which now has over a month of data, the more transmissible less deadly and less hospitalizations is still holding its pattern. Several hospitals are reporting less patients this week.

For other countries there just hasn't been time to collect adequate data yet...

Follow the actual science... and South Africa is all we have. And they have great DNA sequencing there, no guesswork on the variant

[Rob]

I find it puzzling that the US requires citizens arriving from other countries to be fully vaccinated, but not their own citizens, arriving from those same countries.

[ThePachenas]

I find it puzzling that the US requires citizens arriving from other countries to be fully vaccinated, but not their own citizens, arriving from those same countries.

Canada is similar -- but has quarantine rules if not vaccinated.

I think, in very general terms, citizens have a right to come "home".

Jamaica could easily allow its citizens to return unvaccinated (with requisite quarantine), but require all category 2, 3 and 4 visitors to be full vaccinated.