There Is A Second Case Of Omicron Variant: Malaysia Tightens Restrictions, Mandatory Booster Doses For Vulnerable Groups

Malaysian illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/CEphoto/Uwe Aranas)

JAKARTA - Malaysia on Thursday announced new COVID-19 restrictions, including banning mass gatherings and requiring booster doses for residents of low-income groups, following the discovery of cases of the second variant of Omicron.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said authorities were also verifying 18 cases of the suspected variant, which experts believe to be the most contagious, with results expected on Friday.

The second case is an 8-year-old child who traveled with the family from Nigeria, where the family lives, via Qatar, Khairy told reporters, citing Reuters December 16.

All close contacts, including 35 passengers on the same flight, have so far tested negative for the coronavirus.

Previously, Malaysia reported its first case of the Omicron variant earlier this month in a traveler from South Africa.

To curb the risk of spreading the Omicron variant, mass New Year's gatherings will be banned and those attending New Year and Christmas celebrations in private, will have to undergo a COVID-19 self-test, Khairy said.

Malaysians over the age of 60, and all adult recipients of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine, are required to receive a booster dose in February, to maintain their 'full vaccination' status, Khairy said.

This week, researchers in Hong Kong urged people to get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, after a study showed antibodies produced by Sinovac and BioNTech were insufficient to fend off the Omicron variant.

Malaysia has temporarily barred entry to foreign travelers from eight countries in southern Africa, designating nine countries as 'high risk', including the UK, US, Australia and India.

All arrivals from these countries must undergo mandatory quarantine and be equipped with digital tracking devices, regardless of their vaccination status.

Those from the UK will also be asked to self-test daily during quarantine, Khairy said.