Covid: Christmas flights canceled or new restrictions amid spread of Omicron

Millions face travel disruptions and tightened rules Covid Faced over Christmas as the evolving version of Omicron canceled flights and tightened security.

Italy, Spain, and Greece are again requiring face masks outdoors. Catalonia in northern Spain imposed a curfew; the Netherlands is under a strict blockade.

Despite initial findings that Omicron is milder than other options, scientists are concerned about the number of cases.

The daily Omicron cases have peaked in the recent Delta wave in the US. Hospitals are filling the whole country... millions of people, all sick, all together, it doesn't take a large percentage of those people to go to the hospital Dismissed, "Dr. Hali Prescott, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, told the New York Times that thousands of flights had been canceled worldwide. FlightAware.

On Christmas Eve (Friday), US airlines said they were already suffering from staff shortages because the flight crew tested positive or self-isolated.

United Airlines said the rising number of Omicron cases "had a direct impact on our flight crew and the people running our operations," adding that affected passengers were contacted before arrival at the airport.

The United States should lift travel restrictions imposed on eight African countries over concerns about the Dec. 31 Omicron option, the White House confirmed.

Travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi have been blocked since Nov. 29.

Thousands of holiday trips to Australia were also affected on Friday, with more than 100 domestic flights from Sydney and Melbourne to other cities canceled.