Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in recent months. Elsewhere, Thailand has topped 700 cases, South Korea has more than 500 and Japan, over 300. A medical worker holds a sign for visitors to prepare for their tests at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea. "We want to believe the Omicron cases could be mild, but its fast-paced infections could quickly multiply the number of patients and could still overwhelm hospitals," Omi said. To contain a deadly Delta-driven surge in South Korea, the government this month restored its toughest distancing rules with a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9pm curfew on restaurants.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 29, 2021 22:24 UTC