State Department Issues Travel Advisories Over Omicron Variant

Level four "do not travel" advisories to South Africa and seven nearby countries have been issued by the U.S. State Department over concerns with the new omicron variant.

According to the U.S. State Department, a level 4 travel advisory is the highest advisory level issued and says there is a "greater likelihood of life-threatening risks."

South Africa has experienced a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, and the health agency says this is because of the omicron variant.

South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana were all put under a level 4 "do not travel" advisory on Saturday.