According to Xu Wenbo, director of the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, all Chinese-made vaccines are effective to reduce serious cases and deaths due to the disease.

Xu also endorsed the usefulness of the PCR tests and the mechanism adopted to detect any case and trace close contacts in a short time.

So far, only Hong Kong has reported three individuals infected with the Omicron variant.

Chinese scientists suggest that the most sensible thing is to make sure of strictly complying with the health control and prevention measures for travelers from South Africa and neighboring countries.

They also urged people to maintain social distancing, wear facemasks in public places and avoid traveling abroad.

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