Omicron variant; and wild boars

8:30am-9:15am: Omicron variant

8:30am-9:15am: Benjamin Cowling, Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong

8:45am-9:00am: Mary-Louise McLaws, epidemiologist at University of New South Wales and advisor to the World Health Organization

9:00am-9:15am: Dr Siddharth Sridhar, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong

9:15am-9:30am: wild boars

9:15am-9:30am: Dr David Gething, Founder and Chief Veterinary Officer, Creature Comforts Veterinary Group

On Tuesday's Backchat: the Omicron coronavirus variant; and more on wild boars.

Hong Kong has reported three imported cases of Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa, and has now been found in Israel, Germany, Italy, Britain and Australia.

The new, heavily mutated variant has prompted a number of countries and regions, to impose new travel curbs. Arrivals in Hong Kong from anywhere with Omicron outbreaks now have to spend seven days at the Penny’s Bay quarantine centre, followed by two weeks’ of hotel isolation.

Australia will also review its plans to reopen borders to foreign students and skilled workers from December 1.

From 9:15am, we’re talking more about wild boars as the government’s new catch-and-kill approach has sparked criticism from animal rights group and vets.