The risk-off sentiment has worsened heading towards the European open, as more countries are contemplating border closures and stricter restrictions to curb the spread of the new Omicron covid variant.

Among the latest updates, Western Australia’s Premier McGowan announced travel restrictions from other states from midnight on Sunday. This comes after the remote Northern Territory town of Tennant Creek was put under lockdown until December 20, with ace masks to be worn outside of the home.

Meanwhile, the national broadcaster NHK said the Japanese government is mulling extending Omicron border controls beyond January.

more to come ...