The global spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus has forced a number of countries to reconsider plans for international travel to avert an outbreak.

The detection of new cases has triggered alarm as countries go for new curbs.

Potentially more contagious than previous variants, Omicron has now been detected in Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands and South Africa.

Countries from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia have imposed travel curbs for visitors from southern Africa to limit the spread.

Britain has announced to call an urgent meeting of G7 health ministers on Monday.