The UK in a surprise move on Thursday announced that it will be adding six Southern African countries including Namibia to the ‘red list’ following the detection by South African scientists of a new Covid variant.
The decision comes after Namibia was only removed from the UK ‘red list’ last month.
Flights from Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe will also be suspended from midday on Friday, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.
“We will be requiring anyone that arrives from those countries from 4am on Sunday to quarantine in hotels.If anyone arrives before then they should self-isolate at home and take a PCR test on day two and day eight. If anyone has arrived from any of those countries over the last 10 days, we would ask them to take PCR tests,” Javid said
“UKHSA is investigating a new variant. 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 travellers must quarantine.”
Israel has also announced it is barring its citizens from travelling to southern Africa and banning the entry of foreigners from the region, citing the detection by South African scientists of a new Covid variant.
Israelis are banned from travelling to countries on the “red” list, unless they receive special permission from Israel’s health ministry, Reuters reported.
Israelis returning home from those countries would be required to spend between seven and 14 days in a quarantine hotel after arrival.
The variant, which was only identified on Tuesday, initially sparked concern because it carries an “extremely high number” of mutations that could allow it to evade immunity.
The latest data, presented by South African scientists on Thursday, revealed the variant also appears to be more transmissible and is already present in provinces throughout the country.
