Omicron ‘probably’ more transmissible than Delta, says Khairy

The new Covid-19 B.1.1.529 variant dubbed Omicron is probably more transmissible than the Delta variant although it is not yet known how virulent the virus strain is, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

“We know Omicron is probably more transmissible than Delta but we don’t yet know its virulence.

“What we can do in the meantime is to step up public health interventions (masks, distancing, hygiene), improve indoor airflow, keep our aged safe and take a booster when offered,” he said in a Twitter post today.

Last Friday, Khairy announced that Malaysians have been banned from travelling to seven countries, namely South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe following the emergence of the new Covid-19 strain.

He said this was part of efforts by the government to enhance border prevention and control measures, including for travellers arriving at the country’s entry points.