People line up to get on an overseas flight.
Senior Biden administration officials said that the United States will restrict travel for non-U.S. citizens from South Africa and seven other countries starting on Monday.
South Africa is one of the countries that are affected.
Less than three weeks ago, the Biden administration lifted travel restrictions on visitors from more than 30 countries.
The variant was briefed on by the White House chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Canada, the European Union and the U.K. all announced travel restrictions on southern Africa Friday, even as Belgian officials announced that several cases of the omicron variant had already been identified there.
The World Health Organization formally recognized the strain as a "variant of concern" on Friday after assigning the Greek letter omicron variant as a variant.
Health experts are concerned about the transmissibility of the omicron variant because it has an unusual constellation of mutations and a profile that is different from other variant of concern. It's not clear how severe the infections would be for vaccine patients.
It is feared that a large increase of Covid cases in South Africa's Gauteng province could mean that it has greater potential to escape prior immunity than other variant.
Global markets fell into a tailspin on Friday after the designation of a new variant of concern and mounting alarm from health officials. Oil prices and leisure stocks took a big hit.
Travel stocks plummeted Friday. Boeing and other manufacturers have been optimistic about a resurgence in travel demand next year.
There are 122 flights between the US and South Africa in December.
United will resume nonstop flights between its Newark, New Jersey, hub and Cape Town, South Africa, next month. There are no plans for changes currently.
There are 35 flights between the US and South Africa in December.
Robert Towey and CNBC's Sam Meredith contributed reporting.
This is breaking news. You can check back for updates.
