Scientists Working Around The Clock To Understand Omicron Variant – Health Minister

HEALTH Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said citizens can be confident that in a matter of weeks, perhaps days, the Department of Health’s (DoH’s) scientists will have gotten to the bottom of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

Phaahla reiterated President Cyril Rampahosa’s message on Sunday evening, when he said the best weapon to fight the virus and the pandemic was vaccination.

Ramaphosa urged citizens not to panic as the world dealt with the new variant.

The variant was first discovered in Botswana and South Africa, and scientists have also identified cases in Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, Italy, the UK, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Israel. 

“We reiterate that there is no basis for some of the leaders of countries which have imposed these restrictions on travelling for us in South Africa and other countries in Southern Africa. There is no basis for South Africans to panic, We have been here before, this is no