UK Places Travel Ban On 11 African Countries Over South Africa’s Coronavirus Variant

The United Kingdom has extended a travel ban to travelers from
11 African countries in order to contain the new strain of the
virus identified in South Africa.

“Entry into England will be banned to those who have travelled
from or through any southern African country in the last 10 days,
including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi,
Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola – as well as Seychelles and
Mauritius,” UK’s Department for Transport said.

“Israel (and Jerusalem) would be removed from the list of travel
corridors for England and people arriving from January 9 from
Botswana, Israel (and Jerusalem), Mauritius or Seychelles would
need to self-isolate.”

South Africa recently detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, which
appears to transmit more easily and is likely linked to the ongoing
surge of COVID-19 infections in the country.

“The emergence of new COVID-19 variants is common. However,
those with higher speed of transmission or potentially increased
pathogenicity are very concerning. Crucial investigations are
underway to comprehensively understand the behaviour of the new
mutant virus and steer response accordingly,” said Dr Matshidiso
Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Inititially the UK government had temporarily banned the entry
of passengers arriving from South Africa to England with effect
from December 24, excluding British and Irish Nationals, visa
holders and permanent residents, who will be able to enter but are
required to self-isolate for 10 days.

In other to prevent the spread of the new virus variant the
country however announced an indefinite travel ban from the 11
Southern African countries without exemptions.

The United Kingdom has extended a travel ban to travelers from
11 African countries in order to contain the new strain of the
virus identified in South Africa.

“Entry into England will be banned to those who have travelled
from or through any southern African country in the last 10 days,
including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi,
Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola – as well as Seychelles and
Mauritius,” UK’s Department for Transport said.

“Israel (and Jerusalem) would be removed from the list of travel
corridors for England and people arriving from January 9 from
Botswana, Israel (and Jerusalem), Mauritius or Seychelles would
need to self-isolate.”

South Africa recently detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, which
appears to transmit more easily and is likely linked to the ongoing
surge of COVID-19 infections in the country.

“The emergence of new COVID-19 variants is common. However,
those with higher speed of transmission or potentially increased
pathogenicity are very concerning. Crucial investigations are
underway to comprehensively understand the behaviour of the new
mutant virus and steer response accordingly,” said Dr Matshidiso
Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Inititially the UK government had temporarily banned the entry
of passengers arriving from South Africa to England with effect
from December 24, excluding British and Irish Nationals, visa
holders and permanent residents, who will be able to enter but are
required to self-isolate for 10 days.

In other to prevent the spread of the new virus variant the
country however announced an indefinite travel ban from the 11
Southern African countries without exemptions.