No need need to impose travel restrictions for now despite Omicron XE threat — Concepcion

Graphic representation of the SARS-Cov2 that causes the coronavirus disease. INQUIRER.net stock photo

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion does not see the need to impose travel restrictions despite the threat of the more infectious Omicron XE, a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

In a Laging Handa public briefing on Wednesday, Concepcion was asked if the private sector will push for the imposition of travel restrictions on countries with detected Omicron XE.

“I don’t think there’s a need for that… You cannot prevent these variants from coming in. The best you can do is to prepare for it,” he replied.

“Nakita naman natin those who have the vaccination and the immunity or natural immunity, maski nahawa sila, it is very mild and prevents hospitalization,” he said.

(We see that those who have the vaccination and the immunity or natural immunity, even if they get infected, it is very mild and prevents hospitalization.)

Concepcion said that the government is watching for the capacity of hospitals so that the wall of immunity will not break down.

Recently, Thailand recorded its first case of the Omicron XE.

Omicron XE is a recombinant of Omicron sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.2, said the Department of Health.

The health department added that it does not expect the variant to dodge the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the World Health Organization, Omicron XE is 10-percent more contagious than the BA.2.

EDV