The doctor who discovered the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has said there is too much "hype" around it, as governments slam borders shut and reimpose travel restrictions around the world.
South African Medical Association chair Dr Angelique Coetzee was among the first doctors to suspect the medical community was treating a new kind of coronavirus.
But she has criticised the response to it, which in Australia has seen quarantine restrictions and travel bans re-imposed.
READ MORE: Two travellers test positive to Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Sydney
"Looking at the mildness of the symptoms that we are seeing, currently there's no reason for panicking as we don't see severely ill patients," Dr Coetzee said.
"The hype that's been created currently out there in the media and worldwide, doesn't correlate with the clinical picture."
Dr Coetzee said the travel bans don't serve any purpose.
READ MORE: Nation tightens restrictions to halt spread of Omicron variant
Two cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in Sydney after travellers returned from Africa.
The travellers were among 14 people from southern Africa who arrived on Qatar Airways QR908, Doha to Sydney.
The other 12 passengers are undertaking 14 days of hotel quarantine.
About 260 passengers and air crew on the flight are considered close contacts and have been directed to isolate.
There are fears the new variant could jeopardise re-opening plans, with businesses in Queensland calling for the state government to stick by the December 17 roadmap.
In Victoria, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton is adamant that the state won't go back to "square one", but there are fears quarantine restrictions could be re-imposed.
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