KIM HARRISBERG SOUTH African tourism was just getting back on its feet when local scientists' discovery of the new Omicron coronavirus variant prompted a slew of travel curbs that threaten to bring more pandemic gloom to the country's fragile economy. At least one billion rand ($61.9 million) in bookings have been cancelled in recent days as various countries reimposed travel restrictions including flight bans, and tourism industry leaders said they feared a new wave of job losses. "South Africa is being punished for its brilliant work in the field of science," Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, head of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), said…