News of the new COVID-19 variant, first detected in South Africa, has prompted many countries to impose travel restrictions on at least six African countries.
Here are the countries that have announced restrictions so far:
- Italy
- Austria
- France
- Japan
- United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Netherlands
- Malta
- Malaysia
- Morocco
while only dozens Cases have been identified so far, they have been found in South Africa, Botswana and a traveler hong kong from South Africa.
The shutdown began late Thursday when the UK announced it would temporarily suspend flights to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Japan has tightened border controls for travelers from the same six countries, bringing in a 10-day quarantine from 12 a.m. on November 27.
Fellow EU countries Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Malta have announced imminent entry restrictions for all travelers entering South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the past two weeks.
Singapore has opted to ban entry to all non-residents from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, while citizens returning from any of these countries and permanent residents will be required to serve 10-day stay-at-home notice (SHN). Malaysia has also taken a similar step.
Meanwhile, Germany plans to declare South Africa a “virus containment zone” from Friday night, meaning airlines can only enter from the country to repatriate German nationals.
David McKenzie reports: