U.N. chief concerned about southern Africa isolation over Omicron

FILE PHOTO: U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the media at the end of his visit to mark five years since the signing of a peace deal between the FARC rebels and the Colombian government in Bogota, Colombia November 24, 2021. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was deeply concerned about the isolation of southern African countries after new COVID-19 travel restrictions were imposed by several countries over the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

"I appeal to all governments to consider repeated testing for travelers, together with other appropriate and truly effective measures, with the objective of avoiding the risk of transmission so as to allow for travel and economic engagement," Guterres said in a statement.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols)