Omicron strain reaches U.K., Germany, Italy, Czechia, and more

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The new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, labeled a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO), has reached the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Czech Republic, the New York Post reports.

British Health Minister Sajid Javid said that there are two confirmed cases in the U.K., one in Chelmsford and one in Nottingham. Both individuals had recently returned from traveling in southern Africa, and both have been instructed to quarantine along with the rest of their households. Prime Minister Boris Johnson responded by announcing tighter restrictions on people entering the country and new mask mandates for certain activities, Reuters reports.

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Grayson Quay

Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-GazetteModern AgeThe American ConservativeThe Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.