Omicron testing underway after passengers with COVID-19 arrive in Sydney from Africa

Australia has shut its borders to nine southern African countries amid concern over the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus. It comes as countries across Europe have confirmed cases of the new variant with governments worldwide restricting travel from southern Africa.

Earlier this week, a man in his 30s at Howard Springs was diagnosed with the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. Source: AAP