The threat of various stages of lockdown and closure of entry for foreigners and foreign goods in many countries due to the now-spreading Omicron variant of coronavirus is causing a new challenge and concern to India’s tea exports.

“Although it is too early to gauge the impact of Omicron on India’s tea shipments, we are concerned that Christmas markets are being closed in some European countries for fear of the spread of coronavirus in any variant form. Over a dozen countries have taken precautionary measures to close borders at least for a few days now,”