i'm dareen abughaida. just as countries around the world were starting to reopen their borders and lift covid-19 restrictions, a new variant is now threatening to derail the progress of the past few months. several nations have imposed travel restrictions to and from southern africa. the world health organization says it poses a high global risk. so governments have been put on notice -- be prepared. little is known about the new strain, but there are fears it may be highly infectious and more resistant to vaccines. more than two years since the start of the pandemic, it shows no signs of ending. health officials are urging nations to speed up their vaccination drives. we will bring in our guests in just a moment, but first, here is more from the head of the who, who urged countries to work together to fight the pandemic. >> we understand and support every governments responsibly to protect its own people. it is natural. but inequity is not charity. it is in every country's best interests -- no country can