The variant, found in South Africa this week, has been labeled a one of concern by the World Health Organisation.
New Zealand has added nine southern African nations to the list of very high-risk countries, following the lead of the likes of the UK, US and Australia.
This morning UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tightened restrictions after two confirmed cases of Omicron were detected there.
To discuss what we know about Omicron, Professor Michael Baker joined Francesca Rudkin.
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