The World Health Organisation on Friday labelled the new coronavirus strain Omicron a “variant of concern”.

Australia’s national cabinet will meet this week to discuss our national response, which could include extending quarantine for incoming arrivals.

While the new variant has sparked concern among a world fatigued by COVID-19, scientists and leading medical officials are cautioning it’s too soon to know how dangerous this variant is.

Today on Please Explain, federal health reporter Rachel Clun joins Bianca Hall to discuss Australia’s response to the threat posed by Omicron, and how the new strain’s emergence highlights the urgency of vaccinating developing countries.