(TAN): The US and Australia have issued directives restricting travel from South Africa amid growing concerns about the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, reports said.
US President Joe Biden has signed the official proclamation restricting travel from southern Africa that will take effect at 0001 hours on November 29. The order is applicable to those “physically present” in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in 14 days ahead of their entry into the US, CNN said.
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Australia, on the other hand, has banned entry of foreign citizens who travelled to nine South African countries in the past 14 days. These countries include South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique. Australian citizens need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival before being allowed entry.
On November 26, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated Omicron, identified as coronavirus variant B.1.1.529, as a variant of concern.
Several airlines have responded to the Covid-19 Omicron. For instance, Qatar Airways has said it will no longer accept passengers travelling from five Southern African countries. However, the airline will continue to accept passengers for travel into these countries in-line with current restrictions.
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Passengers who are booked on Qatar Airways flights from seven destinations, Luanda (LAD), Angola; Maputo (MPM), Mozambique; Johannesburg (JNB), Capetown (CPT), Durban (DUR),South Africa; Lusaka (LUN), Zambia; and Harare (HRE), Zimbabwe, will not be accepted for travel until further notice, the airline said in a statement.
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