Global National: Dec. 21, 2021 | Omicron spread fuels demand for COVID-19 testing, boosters

In tonight's top story: Skyrocketing Omicron case numbers have fuelled demand for rapid COVID-19 tests and vaccine boosters. As Mike Drolet explains, one epidemiologist says it's only a matter of time before "everyone" catches this variant.

Meanwhile, just before the holidays, British Columbia has introduced new restrictions to combat a record-breaking COVID-19 surge. Keith Baldrey explains the new rules, and how the province is expanding the rollout of rapid tests.

As Omicron cases skyrocket and trigger tightening restrictions, travelling during the holidays will become more complicated. Jamie Mauracher looks at how protocols compare among some provinces.

In the United States, as the variant tightens its grip on the country, President Joe Biden has announced a slew of new measures to accelerate testing and vaccinations. Jackson Proskow explains what Biden is advising Americans to do with their holiday plans, and whether new restrictions are coming.

Questions continue to rise over the more contagious mutation. How long will it take to test positive for COVID-19 if you're infected with Omicron? What treatments are available against this variant? What about herd immunity? And are face shields effective? Jeff Semple gets the answers from Dr. Dan Gregson and Dr. Christopher Labos.

And Christmas trees remain the major centrepiece in people's homes, but Americans hoping to find one may be out of luck. Rob Malcolm explains how California's unprecedented drought and wildfires have scorched holiday cheer.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8465913/covid-19-canadian-airport-delays-omicron-holiday-travel/

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