The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests “The incubation period of COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, but can be as long as 14 days.”

However, with the onset of Omicron, experts believe the incubation period may have shortened for various reasons.

Available data suggests symptoms of Omicron may appear as early as two days after being in close contact with someone who has Omicron.

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Ryan Roach, CEO of South African health insurer Discovery Health, has said anecdotal evidence suggests Omicron symptoms seem to come on within three days.

However, experts recommend self-isolating for at least 10 days as symptoms could take longer to appear, even up to 14 days after exposure.