Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has expressed disappointment on the authorities of the UK’s (UK) determination to position South Africa on its pink checklist journey ban following the invention of a brand new COVID-19 variant.
“Whereas that is most disappointing, South Africa will proceed working with policymakers within the UK, Japan, Israel and [the] EU to make sure that the absolute best interventions are put in place. I wish to commend South African scientists on their diligence and all of the work they’ve achieved and stay assured that each one measures will likely be put in place to mitigate the unfold of the virus,” mentioned the Minister in an announcement on Friday.
The UK – along with Japan, Israel and the European Union – have all moved to position stricter measures towards South Africans travelling to their a part of the world.
The transfer got here just a few hours after South Africa’s Well being Division introduced the found B.1.1.529 Coronavirus variant.
Sisulu mentioned South Africa stays open for enterprise and tourism journey.
“We recognize the continued help from numerous companions internationally and are assured that by way of the world and thru the tourism restoration plan in place, we are going to reignite demand and as soon as extra be tourism robust.”
For the sector, she mentioned the virus continued to have devastating results.
The Minister mentioned the choice by the three governments and the EU pre-empted the World Well being Organisation’s recommendation on subsequent steps in fact following the invention of the variant.
In the meantime, Sisulu is because of attend the twenty fourth Session of the Common Meeting of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Madrid, in Spain from 30 November to three December 2021. Throughout this session, the Minister will have interaction her counterparts and guarantee the world that South Africa is open for vacationers and that measures are in place to make sure their security.