Since the Omicron coronavirus variant was first identified in South Africa on November 24, 2021, the new strain is being detected in other places around the world. Hong Kong and Australia have reported three and two Omicron cases, respectively. The spread of the variant has prompted a number of Asian countries to tighten restrictions on travellers from southern Africa. The rules are expected to continue hitting the tourism industry, which is already down 70 per cent in 2021 from its pre…