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| European countries impose restrictions over ‘worst-ever’ Covid-19 strain | European countries impose restrictions over ‘worst-ever’ Covid-19 strain |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| A number of European countries are suspending air travel with South Africa on Friday over a new coronavirus strain with multiple mutations discovered in that region. | A number of European countries are suspending air travel with South Africa on Friday over a new coronavirus strain with multiple mutations discovered in that region. |
| Germany has declared South Africa a “virus variant area,” the country’s health minister Jens Spahn wrote on Twitter. It means “airlines will only be allowed to transport Germans" from the country. | Germany has declared South Africa a “virus variant area,” the country’s health minister Jens Spahn wrote on Twitter. It means “airlines will only be allowed to transport Germans" from the country. |
| All arrivals would be required to quarantine for 14 days, even if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered, Spahn added. | All arrivals would be required to quarantine for 14 days, even if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered, Spahn added. |
| The Dutch authorities made a similar move, announcing a ban on flights from South Africa to the Netherlands from midnight. | The Dutch authorities made a similar move, announcing a ban on flights from South Africa to the Netherlands from midnight. |
| This follows a call by the European Union on member states to consider “stopping air travel” from the southern African region over the new strain of the virus. Italy and Czech Republic were also quick to follow the advice from Brussels. | This follows a call by the European Union on member states to consider “stopping air travel” from the southern African region over the new strain of the virus. Italy and Czech Republic were also quick to follow the advice from Brussels. |
| Rome has banned entry to all arrivals from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini. Prague has also said that non-nationals who recently visited South Africa won’t be allowed into Czechia. | Rome has banned entry to all arrivals from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini. Prague has also said that non-nationals who recently visited South Africa won’t be allowed into Czechia. |
| Later in the day, France said that it was suspending flights from southern Africa for at least 48 hours, with Health Minister Olivier Veran announcing that all those who recently arrived from the region are going to be tested and monitored closely. | Later in the day, France said that it was suspending flights from southern Africa for at least 48 hours, with Health Minister Olivier Veran announcing that all those who recently arrived from the region are going to be tested and monitored closely. |
| Meanwhile, French PM Jean Castex revealed that talks among EU leaders on how to respond to the new strain, which so far hasn’t been diagnosed on the continent, are going to take place “over the next hours”. | Meanwhile, French PM Jean Castex revealed that talks among EU leaders on how to respond to the new strain, which so far hasn’t been diagnosed on the continent, are going to take place “over the next hours”. |
| The World Health Organization (WHO) says the large number of mutations in the newly-discovered variant raises serious concerns over how it will impact diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccinations. | The World Health Organization (WHO) says the large number of mutations in the newly-discovered variant raises serious concerns over how it will impact diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccinations. |
| The UK also restricted air travel to and from South Africa and its neighbors, with the country’s Health Security Agency saying that “this is the worst variant we have seen so far.” | The UK also restricted air travel to and from South Africa and its neighbors, with the country’s Health Security Agency saying that “this is the worst variant we have seen so far.” |
| Countries beyond Europe have also been worried about the new variant, with Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Bahrain imposing restrictions on travelers from the southern Africa region. | |
| Israel also placed a ban on arrivals from southern Africa but then expanded that “red zone” to almost the whole continent, only excluding some north-African nations. | |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |