DHAKA -- Bangladesh on Saturday suspended entry of travelers from South Africa amid the spread of a new variant of COVID-19.

Making the announcement, Bangladesh Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque said the Bangladeshi government is aware of the emergence of the new variant in South Africa. (Bangladesh-COVID19-New Variant)

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NEW DELHI -- Amid growing concerns over the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, the B.1.1.529, named Omicron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked officials to review plans to ease restrictions on international travel to and from India.

The orders came during a review meeting chaired by Modi.

"PM spoke about the need to be proactive in light of the new variant. He said that in light of the new threat, people need to be more cautious and the need to take proper precautions like masking and social distancing," a statement issued by Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. (India-New Variant-Caution)

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NEW DELHI -- India's COVID-19 tally rose to 34,563,749 on Saturday, as 8,318 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the health ministry's latest data.

Besides, as many as 465 deaths due to the pandemic were recorded since Friday morning, taking the total death toll to 467,933. (India-COVID-19)

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CANBERRA -- Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt Saturday announced that the government would implement additional precautionary border security measures in response to the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Hunt said in a press conference here that Australia will suspend all flights from nine southern African countries for a period of 14 days as a matter of precaution, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique. (Australia-Africa-Flight Ban) Enditem

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