The WHO classified the new Covid-19 variant as a 'variant of concern' on Friday but cautioned against imposing travel restrictions, saying it would take weeks to understand the implications of the newly discovered strain.
The new variant has been renamed 'omicron' by the UN health agency.
WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan also urged people to listen to scientists and not panic.
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WHO's statement comes on the back of travel restrictions imposed on South Africa and other African countries by UK, Italy, France, Singapore, Japan, Germany among others.
Omicron is believed to have originated in South Africa and is reported to be behind the recent spike in cases in the country.