Kaya 959 Reporter
There’s been widespread anger in Southern Africa, following the news on Friday, that several western countries imposing travel bans on South Africa and several other African countries.
The news of the travel restrictions came after South African scientists informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday to the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529, which the WHO has now dubbed ‘Omicron’.
South Africa has already started engaging countries that have imposed travel bans with the view to persuade them to reconsider.
Clayson Monyela, DIRCO Spokesperson spoke to Nzinga Qunta to give us more details about where we stand with some of these countries and what talks are they having with these other nations.
Monyela shared this weekend that this latest round of travel bans is akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker.
Also Read: UK does U-turn on SA travel ban decision
Adding that excellent science should be applauded and not punished. He also reminded the global community that they need collaboration and partnerships in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

