By Kaya 959 Reporter
Government has vowed to continue fighting to get South Africa removed from the United Kingdom’s Red List.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said thousands of families and business people in SA and the UK are shocked at this continued exclusion, especially given SA’s progress in combating the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by the rapid decline in infection rates.
“We firmly believe there is no reasonable basis for keeping SA on the red list and I am very disappointed,” said Minister Naledi Pandor.
Pandor said her department, working with other stakeholders, will intensify efforts to have SA removed from the list.
She said they are optimistic that the UK government will finally realise that their decision is not harming just the tourism industry but other businesses from both countries.
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Kick in the teeth
CEO of the SA Tourism Services Association David Frost said SA remaining on the Red List is a kick in the teeth for 1.5 million South African tourism workers who were relying on UK visitors this spring.
“There isn’t a shred of scientific evidence to support keeping SA on the red list and the only conclusion left is that the UK government has an irrational fear of SA which is prejudicing decision-making.
“The UK government needs to urgently reconsider this classification to avoid irreparable harm to a relationship with a key ally and trading partner,” Frost said.
The Association of Southern African Travel Agents said it was deeply disappointed by the outcome of the UK review of the traffic light system.
It said in the past month, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland, Finland, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Mauritius, Seychelles and Spain have all relaxed travel restrictions for fully vaccinated South Africans.
“These countries highlighted that being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 exempts travellers from mandatory quarantines. There is therefore clearly no scientific reason that justifies keeping SA on the contentious UK red list for travel. We will continue to work with the Tourism Business Council of SA to get SA off red lists and other travel advisories,” ASATA said.
“We maintain that travellers who can provide proof of vaccination should be allowed access to and from the country without Covid-19 tests or quarantines. For those who are not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated, a negative PCR test should be presented.
“The complexity and cost associated with SA being classified as a ‘red list’ destination will continue to be a major deterrent for SA travellers,” the Association added.
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