https://sputnikglobe.com/20211126/eu-to-propose-banning-flights-from-southern-african-region-amid-concerns-over-new-covid-variant-1091033604.html
EU to Propose Banning Flights From 'Southern African Region' Amid Concerns Over New COVID Variant
EU to Propose Banning Flights From 'Southern African Region' Amid Concerns Over New COVID Variant
Sputnik International
Earlier in the day, the UK banned flights from six southern African nations, including South Africa and Botswana until 28 November over the spread of the... 26.11.2021, Sputnik International
2021-11-26T07:47+0000
2021-11-26T07:47+0000
2023-05-28T15:24+0000
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President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Friday that the commission "will propose, in close coordination with member states, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the [new] variant of concern B.1.1.529".This comes as the Financial Times cited unnamed sources as saying that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is convening an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the potentially rapid spread of a COVID strain found in South Africa and Botswana.Spokesman Christian Lindmeier told Sputnik that a technical meeting of WHO experts will be held in Geneva after 13:00 GMT. The WHO is "closely monitoring the recently reported variant B.1.1.529. So far under 100 sequences have been reported. Early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study […]", Lindmeier said. In a separate development on Friday, the UK is placing South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe on its travel red-list over a new "super-variant" of the coronavirus.Acting German Health Minister Jens Spahn, in turn, said that the country will ban most travel from South Africa and "probably neighbouring nations" as of Friday night to halt the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.Сzech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek, for his part, tweeted that the Czech Republic is baning travel from South Africa and other African countries to stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.The move follows British scientists reportedly warning of the appearance of a new coronavirus strain that contains 32 mutations in Botswana. According to them, many of the mutations indicate the new strain’s high transmissibility and resistance to vaccines. The South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases has, meanwhile, confirmed that the new strain has been found in South Africa, with 22 cases to date.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20211125/south-africa-will-reportedly-be-placed-on-uks-travel-red-list-over-new-covid-19-variant-1091025824.html
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EU to Propose Banning Flights From 'Southern African Region' Amid Concerns Over New COVID Variant
07:47 GMT 26.11.2021 (Updated: 15:24 GMT 28.05.2023) Earlier in the day, the UK banned flights from six southern African nations, including South Africa and Botswana until 28 November over the spread of the B.1.1.529 strain of the coronavirus.
President of the European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Friday that the commission "will propose, in close coordination with member states, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the [new] variant of concern B.1.1.529".
This comes as the Financial Times cited unnamed sources as saying that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is convening an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the potentially rapid spread of a COVID strain found in South Africa and Botswana.
25 November 2021, 20:53 GMT
Spokesman Christian Lindmeier told Sputnik that a technical meeting of WHO experts will be held in Geneva after 13:00 GMT.
The WHO is "closely monitoring the recently reported variant B.1.1.529. So far under 100 sequences have been reported. Early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study […]", Lindmeier said.
He explained that the meeting is being convened "to better understand the timeline for studies that are underway and to determine if this variant should be designated as a variant of interest or variant of concern".
In a separate development on Friday, the UK is placing South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe on its travel red-list over a new "super-variant" of the coronavirus.
Acting German Health Minister Jens Spahn, in turn, said that the country will ban most travel from South Africa and "probably neighbouring nations" as of Friday night to halt the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.
"The last thing we need now is an introduced new variant that causes even more problems", he underscored.
Сzech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek, for his part, tweeted that the Czech Republic is baning travel from South Africa and other African countries to stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.
The ban is due to come into effect on Saturday and pertains to third country citizens who have spent more than 12 hours over the past two weeks in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia, according to Kulhanek.
The move follows British scientists reportedly warning of the appearance of a
new coronavirus strain that contains 32 mutations in Botswana. According to them, many of the mutations indicate the new strain’s high transmissibility and resistance to vaccines.
The South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases has, meanwhile, confirmed that the new strain has been found in South Africa, with 22 cases to date.
