Experts say closing borders to Omicron-impacted African countries is jumping the gun

Experts say the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has already spread around the world, and closing our borders to African countries comes too late.

Experts have questioned the federal government’s strategy of shutting the ­border to southern African countries while the Omicron variant they are trying to keep out is already circulating around the globe.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said the government was “shutting the gate after the horse had already bolted”.

He mirrored comments from international experts that border closures were dangerous, calling it an example of crying wolf.

“If this is the reaction … then you run the risk that countries with the least number of vaccinations and resources will say ‘What’s the point of us doing all this urgent genomic work when we get beaten over the head with it?” he said.

Experts say Omicron is already here, so it is too late to close borders. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“To put such severe restrictions without any real evidence is jumping the gun.”

Professor Collignon said shutting borders was justified only when there was “real world evidence” that the ­vaccines were ineffective against a strain.

His comments came as the World Health Organisation warned that border restrictions were slowing down urgent research because of logistic issues.

Virologist Professor Tony Cunningham said Australia’s decision was “cautious”, but might not be effective.

“It just goes to show how quickly these viral strains can spread,” he said.

“Obviously, there is concern that our vaccine program could be put at risk if we had too rapid a spread of ­Omicron,” he said.

“I have heard comments from scientists dealing with WHO that we must develop a compact worldwide so we don’t scare countries off from reporting the new strains.

“It’s an understandable reaction but in the future we will have to handle these strains differently.”

Fear of domestic border closures have also continued despite Queensland reopening its borders earlier than ­expected with travel gurus saying the Sunshine State’s knee-jerk reactions on border closures may have cost them a chunk of the tourism economy.

Infectious diseases doctor Peter Collignon. Picture: AAP Image

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said research had shown that border uncertainty remained a major fear among travellers.

“People are definitely going on holidays at Christmas, but the bulk are likely to travel within their own state,” he said.

He expects that travel confidence may increase once domestic borders have remained open for a few weeks.

“We are expecting people’s travel behaviours to change once the borders are open. Particularly because east coast premiers have indicated that once their borders open, they will stay open,” he said.

Originally published as Experts say closing borders to Omicron-impacted African countries is jumping the gun