World Economic Forum Postpones January Meeting Over Omicron

World Economic Forum (WEF) has postponed its annual meeting which was scheduled for January 17-21 in Davos, Switzerland, over concerns of Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Gatekeepers News reports that the Forum confirmed the meeting was thwarted for the second year following the “continued uncertainty” over the omicron variant, forcing the WEF to have a rethink and resolve to host the meeting in early summer.

“Current pandemic conditions make it extremely difficult to deliver a global in-person meeting,” it said. “Despite the meeting’s stringent health protocols, the transmissibility of omicron and its impact on travel and mobility have made deferral necessary.”

Just last week, WEF officials were expressing optimism that they could host the conference given Switzerland was open to international travel and that regular testing would be provided. The emergence of rapidly spreading omicron however meant those plans were put under threat.

Switzerland tightened restrictions as of Monday to curb infections and protect the healthcare system. It reintroduced a work-from-home requirement and excluded the unvaccinated from large parts of public life.

Switzerland has reported about 160 000 coronavirus cases this month. The government has called in the armed forces to assist hospitals with patient care, transport and vaccinations.