The United Kingdom is temporarily suspending flights from six African countries over concerns about a new coronavirus variant. The six African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe, have been added to its “red” travel list, meaning flights to these countries will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine.
The UK secretary of state for health and social care, Sajid Javid, made the announcement on Thursday shortly after the World Health Organization gave a briefing about the variant, dubbed “B.1.1.529.”
According to the WHO, the new variant was initially identified in Botswana. However, scientific experts have confirmed more than 30 mutations spreads in South Africa, raising concerns that it could possibly better evade the antibody protection created by vaccines and prior infections.
Javid disclosed that the variant hasn’t been detected in the UK yet and that its implications are still unclear. But based on the early indications, it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant, and our current vaccines may be less effective against it, he said.
“More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travelers must quarantine,” Javid wrote on Twitter.
Starting midday Friday, the UK government is suspending all flights from the countries. People travelling into the UK from the red list countries will be required to quarantine for 10 days in government-approved hotels, Javid noted. In Europe, Austria and Italy have also announced new restrictions amid plans to slow the spread of the virus.
The WHO is holding a special meeting on Friday to analyze the situation further. The variant has spread rapidly through the Gauteng province, which covers Johannesburg, the country’s largest city.
