By Kaya 959 Reporter
The South African government will engage leaders in the United Kingdom over a decision to restrict travel due to the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant in SA.
Local officials have noted the announcement by the UK to temporarily ban all flights from the southern parts of Africa.
South African citizens are among those banned from entering the UK due to the detection of variant B.1.1.529.
International Relations officials say SA respects the right of countries to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect their citizens.
However, Minister Naledi Pandor says the UK’s decision to temporarily ban South Africans seems to have been rushed. WHO is yet to advise on the next steps, she says.
“Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to both the tourism industries and businesses of both countries. South Africa will engage the UK Government with the view to persuade them to reconsider this decision,” Pandor says.
Late on Thursday night, the UK said it was adding six countries to its red list.
UK Secretary of State Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said they are taking precautions.
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COVID-19 UPDATE:@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.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 25, 2021
Cases increase in Gauteng
Earlier on Thursday, leading medical experts announced the discovery of the B.1.1.529 variant in SA. So far, at least 22 cases have been reported.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is monitoring the new variant.
It says says “detected cases and percent testing positive are both increasing quickly, particularly in Gauteng, North West and Limpopo”.
Prof Adrian Puren, NICD Acting Executive Director, says it is not surprising that a new variant has been detected in South Africa.
“Although the data are limited, our experts are working overtime with all the established surveillance systems to understand the new variant and what the potential implications could be.
“Developments are occurring at a rapid pace and the public has our assurance that we will keep them up to date,” he says.
