Omicron forces new restrictions, global call for booster shot | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
Omicron forces new restrictions, global call for booster shot

Coronavirus chronicle

Reuters
22 December, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 22 December, 2021, 02:07 pm

Related News

  • Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 may be dominant in Europe soon: Health agency
  • 'Covid cases still low but no alternative to caution'
  • DGHS urges to wear masks, take booster dose amid fresh Covid outbreak in China, India
  • China's Xi told EU less lethal Omicron opens way for fewer Covid restrictions
  • New Omicron sub-variant ‘XBB’ detected in Bangladesh

Omicron forces new restrictions, global call for booster shot

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday promised half a billion free rapid Covid-19 tests and warned the quarter of American adults who are unvaccinated that their choices could spell the "difference between life and death."

Reuters
22 December, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 22 December, 2021, 02:07 pm
People queue for a Covid-19 test as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Manhattan, New York City, US, December 21, 2021. Photo :Reuters
People queue for a Covid-19 test as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Manhattan, New York City, US, December 21, 2021. Photo :Reuters

Highlights:

* Singapore freezes ticket sales for quarantine-free travel

* Australia steps up vaccine funding

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

* Australian political leaders hold emergency cabinet meeting

* S. Korean business groups protest new curbs

* Big tech firms to skip CES event in Las Vegas


Singapore suspended quarantine-free travel and Australia renewed its vaccination push on Wednesday as surging cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant just days before Christmas forced authorities to impose new curbs and expedite booster shots.

Governments globally have tightened social mobility restrictions and made urgent pleas for citizens to vaccinate as Omicron emerges as the dominant strain of the virus, upending reopening plans that many hoped would herald the start of a post-pandemic era in 2022.

In Asia-Pacific, Singapore will freeze all new ticket sales for flights and buses under its programme for quarantine-free travel into the city-state from Dec. 23 to Jan. 20, the government said on Wednesday, citing risk from the fast-spreading Omicron.

"Our border measures will help to buy us time to study and understand the Omicron variant, and to strengthen our defences, including enhancing our healthcare capacity, and getting more people vaccinated and boosted," Singapore's health ministry said in a statement.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday promised half a billion free rapid Covid-19 tests and warned the quarter of American adults who are unvaccinated that their choices could spell the "difference between life and death."

In response to the surge in cases, countries are also looking to shorten the time between second vaccination shots and boosters. However, wary of public lockdown fatigue, there is reluctance to return to the strict curbs imposed during the spread of the Delta variant earlier this year.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday announced new vaccination funding for clinics and pharmacies. He also urged the country's states to reopen hundreds of vaccination hubs, to accelerate a booster rollout, which were shut down when double-dose rates in adults topped 80%.

The country's federal and state leaders held an emergency meeting of national Cabinet on Wednesday to discuss rising cases, which are severely stretching testing facilities.

Australia on Wednesday reported more than 5,000 daily infections for the first time during the pandemic, with the bulk of cases in its most populous states of New South Wales and Victoria.

Despite the Omicron surge, Morrison on Wednesday repeated lockdowns would not be brought back and insisted that limiting the spread of the virus comes down to personal responsibility.

There was also resistance to new lockdowns in South Korea, where authorities announced restrictions on gatherings and operating times for restaurants, cafes and bars.

While polls show wide support for South Korea's fresh curbs, some of its strictest yet, many small businesses have complained that restrictions leave them overstaffed and overstocked, having prepared for a holiday season under looser rules.

Small business and restaurant associations issued statements protesting the decision and calling for compensation, with one of the groups vowing to stage a demonstration on Wednesday.

NEW URGENCY

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization's European head, on Tuesday warned of a "storm" that Omicron would bring, "pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink."

Germany, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Korea are among countries that have reimposed partial or full lockdowns or other social distancing measures in recent days.

Portugal ordered nightclubs and bars to close and told people to work from home for at least two weeks from Saturday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not introduce new Covid-19 curbs in England before Christmas, but the situation remained extremely difficult and the government might need to act afterwards.

Governments have stepped up vaccination and treatment efforts with the US Food and Drug Administration set to authorise Covid-19 treatment pills from Pfizer Inc and Merck, Bloomberg News reported.

Israel will offer a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to people older than 60.

Policymakers are scrambling to address the economic hit that might come from new outbreaks with Britain announcing 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) of extra support for businesses hit hardest by Omicron.

With much still not known about the severity of Omicron infections, businesses are also worried about a swathe of cancellations affecting big-ticket events in the new year.

Amazon Inc, Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc , Twitter Inc and Pinterest Inc will skip the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month due to concerns about Omicron.

North America's National Hockey League will not send its players to compete in the men's ice hockey tournament at the Beijing Winter Olympics due to Covid-19 concerns, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

That would not only affect league players in the US and Canadian ice hockey teams, but also those in the Olympic squads of Sweden, Finland and Germany.

Top News / World+Biz

omicron / booster

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Illustration: TBS
    'Where is the transparency in economic activities of this government?' asks Debapriya
  • Infographic: TBS
    Deadlock over key reforms: Is there any solution in sight?
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Saudi Arabia to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on 6 June

MOST VIEWED

  • 6 troubled banks to be merged by July, govt to take ownership
    6 troubled banks to be merged by July, govt to take ownership
  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Army’s operations director Brigadier General M Nazim-ud-Daula talks to reporters at Army Headquarters on 26 May 2025. Photo: BSS
    Govt, army not at odds, working in unison: Brig Gen Nazim
  • Army reaffirms commitment to stand by the people, warns of strict action against mob violence
    Army reaffirms commitment to stand by the people, warns of strict action against mob violence
  • FY26 budget: Black money whitening in real estate to stay – but with 5x taxes
    FY26 budget: Black money whitening in real estate to stay – but with 5x taxes
  • KEPZ
    Gas crisis criticism: Petrobangla contradicts business leaders, says supply rose by 21% compared to last year

Related News

  • Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 may be dominant in Europe soon: Health agency
  • 'Covid cases still low but no alternative to caution'
  • DGHS urges to wear masks, take booster dose amid fresh Covid outbreak in China, India
  • China's Xi told EU less lethal Omicron opens way for fewer Covid restrictions
  • New Omicron sub-variant ‘XBB’ detected in Bangladesh

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

2d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods

4h | Others
Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

Eid may be celebrated in Bangladesh on June 7

4h | TBS Today
TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

TSMC begins construction on US semiconductor plant

4h | Others
Trump's tariff policy shock: US dollar dominance under threat

Trump's tariff policy shock: US dollar dominance under threat

6h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net