Table 3.

World Health Organization recommendations for managing of a new variant of interest (VOI) or a variant of concern (VOC).

	Variant of Interest (VOI)	Variant of Concern (VOC)
Primary actions by World Health Organization (WHO) for a potential VOI/VOC	Comparative assessment of variant characteristics and public health risks by WHO.	Comparative assessment of variant characteristics and public health risks by WHO and the Technical advisory Group on Virus Evolution.
	If determined necessary, coordinated laboratory investigations with Member States and partners.	If determined necessary, coordinate additional laboratory investigations with Member States and partners.
	Review global epidemiology of VOI.	Communicate new designations and findings with Member States and public through established mechanisms.
	Monitor and track global spread of VOI.	Evaluate WHO guidance through established WHO mechanisms and update, if necessary.
Primary actions by a Member State if a new potential VOI/VOC is identified	Inform WHO through established WHO Country or Regional Office reporting channels with supporting information about VOI-associated cases (person, place, time, clinical and other relevant characteristics).	Submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID.
	Submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID.	Report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism.
	Perform field investigations to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOI on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, or other relevant characteristics.	Where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics.
	Perform laboratory assessments according to capacity or contact WHO for support to conduct laboratory assessments on the impact of the VOI on relevant topics.