New variant cases found in several countries

The new Omicron strain of coronavirus has been detected in several countries, with cases confirmed across Europe and Australia.

Israel is to ban foreigners from entering the country for 14 days and use surveillance in an attempt to halt the spread of the new Covid strain.

Also in the programme: Swiss voters are going to the polls to decide whether to get rid of some internal coronavirus regulations and the Portuguese government has banned bosses from text-messaging and emailing staff outside contracted working hours.

Joining Paul Henley to discuss these and other issues are Alev Scott, a Turkish-British writer and journalist, and Kishore Mahbubani, a Singaporean writer and former Ambassador to the United Nations.

Picture shows used Covid-19 rapid tests in a coronavirus test centre Credit: Reuters.