EU-DIGEST

The omicron variant had a foothold in multiple countries in Europe before travel restrictions were imposed, new genetic sequencing data has revealed.

Dutch officials said Tuesday that they had detected the variant, with its unusually high number of mutations, in a sample collected on Nov. 19 and another on Nov. 23 — well before Dutch authorities panicked over two flights from South Africa carrying infected passengers.

The earliest known cases are still from southern Africa. The first identified samples were collected Nov. 9, from a 34-year-old man and a 23-year-old man in Johannesburg, according to the GISAID global database. On Nov. 11, five

Read more at: Omicron was in Netherlands before South Africa raised alarm about new coronavirus variant - The Washington Post

The latest big changes include: UK arrivals into Poland will have to do quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Only fully-vaccinated UK travellers will be allowed into Spain from 1st December. Switzerland has changed its entry requirements for arrivals from some European countries, including the UK. The UK now requires all arrivals to do a PCR test before the end of day 2, and self-isolate until they have received a negative result. Due to the new variant, Omicron, many European countries are banning non-essential arrivals from Southern African countries. Full lockdown has been reinforced in Austria, meaning a complete ban on entry for tourists. There has been a spike in cases in Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium leading to increased restrictions. Portugal's testing requirements change as of 1st December.

Read more at: Where can I travel in Europe right now? A complete list of travel restrictions | Euronews

Two cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected in the southern state of Bavaria, the state health ministry said on Saturday.

Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) said the two infected individuals entered Germany at Munich airport on November 24.

The pair are now isolating, the ministry said.

Read more COVID: Germany confirms first two cases of omicron variant | News | DW | 27.11.2021