Davos Economic Forum Postponed Due to Omicron Variant

The World Economic Forum postponed its annual meeting in Davos next month amid fears of Omicron variant, reports revealed on Monday.

Having intended to hold the meeting Jan. 17-21, the Forum said in a statement that “continued uncertainty” over the omicron variant had forced a rethink 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.”

Last week, WEF officials expressed their confidence that they may host the conference as Switzerland was open to international travel and that regular testing would be provided.

However, those plans were put under threat due to the rapidly spreading omicron.

Meantime, Switzerland tightened restrictions to curb infections and protect the healthcare system. The country returned to work-from-home requirements and excluded the unvaccinated from large parts of public life.

With a population of around 8.5 million, Switzerland has reported about 160,000 coronavirus cases this month.