The Omicron variant of the coronavirus appeared in more European countries on Saturday, just days after it was discovered in South Africa, prompting governments all over the world to scramble to contain the spread. 

Following the discovery of two cases, the United Kingdom tightened its rules on wearing masks and testing international arrivals on Saturday. Experts, however, believe that such restrictions may be too late to prevent omicron from spreading globally.

As the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 5 million people worldwide, countries are on high alert. Here are a few nations where the variant has been reported so far:

Also Read | How does Omicron compare with other COVID variants?

Germany

Two passengers, infected with the virus, arrived in Munich from Cape Town on November 24, according to a statement released by the Bavarian Ministry of Health on Saturday.

“The individuals have been in domestic isolation since Nov. 25 following a positive PCR test. Following reports of the new variant, the two individuals had the foresight to arrange for themselves to be tested for the variant,” authorities said.

Fifty other passengers from Friday’s flight are being held in quarantine, and two foreign citizens who are being held in a hotel have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Investigations are underway to determine if they are infected with the Omicron variant,” the ministry said.

Italy

The one case identified in the southwestern region of Campania is a passenger who turned up from Mozambique, according to the statement, which did not reveal the arrival date or nationality of the passenger. On November 11, the business traveller arrived in Rome and returned to his home near Naples.

Five members of the family have tested positive, including two children. According to Italian news agency LaPresse, all are isolating in the Naples suburb of Caserta in good health and with only minor symptoms. The genomic testing took place in Milan, according to the statement.

UK

After two cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus were discovered in the UK on Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was necessary to take “targeted and precautionary measures”.

“Right now this is the responsible course of action to slow down the seeding and the spread of this new variant and to maximise our defences,” he told a news conference.

Israel

One case of omicron has been confirmed in Israel, with seven more suspected. The Ministry of Health has not stated whether the confirmed case had been vaccinated.

Three of the seven suspected cases had been fully vaccinated, according to the ministry, and three had not returned from recent international travel.

The Netherlands

The omicron variant was “probably found in a number of the tested persons,” according to the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM), who were isolated after arriving in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa on Friday.

The Dutch institute said in a statement that more sequencing analysis is being done to confirm that it is the new variant. On Sunday, the results are expected. A total of 61 people were subjected to the test.

Fears that the new variant will be more resistant to vaccine protection are growing around the world, sparking concern that the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions will last far longer than expected.