The U.S. State Department has issued level four "do not travel" advisories to South Africa and seven nearby countries amid the new omicron variant spreading throughout the region.
The new warning comes after the World Health Organization designated the COVID-19 omicron variant a "Variant of Concern." Originally, the omicron variant was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on Nov. 24, Fox News reports.
According to the U.S. State Department, a level 4 travel advisory is the highest advisory level issued and notes that there is a "greater likelihood of life-threatening risks" under this level.
South Africa has experienced a steep increase in COVID-19 infections recently, and the health agency says this coincides with the omicron variant.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana were all put under a level 4 "do not travel" advisory by the U.S. State Department on Saturday.
President Biden announced in a statement on Friday that he is restricting travel from South Africa and seven other countries due to the omicron variant.
