South Africa announces end to contact tracing

South Africa has eased a number of coronavirus curbs, despite being hit by a fourth wave of cases driven by the Omicron variant, with contact tracing for anyone who has come into close contact with an infected person also lifted,

Thailand meanwhile reported its first Omicron cluster in the northeast province of Kalasin, saying 21 infections stemmed from a Belgium couple who traveled to the country earlier this month.

In Europe, Italy has reintroduced mandatory masks outdoors, and Greece has ordered people to wear face masks both indoors and outdoors. In South America, Ecuador made vaccines compulsory for nearly all to combat coronavirus infections surging globally just before the Christmas holidays.