Authorities says it has famous the announcement by the UK (UK) to briefly ban all flights from the Southern elements of Africa, together with South Africa, from getting into the UK as a result of detection of a brand new Coronavirus variant, B.1.1.529.
South Africa confirmed on Thursday that it has detected the brand new Coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 within the nation.
In response to the BBC, UK Well being Secretary, Sajid Javid, introduced on Friday that six African international locations, together with South Africa, can be added to the pink record, with flights being briefly banned from Friday at noon.
The opposite international locations embody Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
No instances have been recognized within the UK. Nonetheless, in a press release, that authorities stated it was taking precautionary measures to guard public well being and the progress made up to now by their profitable vaccination programme.
“The variant contains a lot of spike protein mutations in addition to mutations in different elements of the viral genome. These are doubtlessly biologically vital mutations, which can change the behaviour of the virus regarding vaccines, therapies and transmissibility. Extra investigation is required,” the UK authorities stated.
Whereas South Africa stated it respects the best of all international locations to take the mandatory precautionary measures to guard its residents, the Division of Worldwide Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) stated the UK’s determination appears to have been “rushed”.
“Even the World Well being Organisation is but to advise on the following steps,” stated the division.
Minister Naledi Pandor stated: “Our instant concern is the injury that this determination will trigger to each the tourism industries and companies of each international locations”.
In response to the division, the officers will have interaction the UK authorities with the view to influence them to rethink the choice.