After the discovery of Omicron, the new mutation of the coronavirus in South Africa on November 25, many countries decided to restrict travel to South Africa. In his speech on television, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “We call on all countries that have imposed travel bans on our country and sister countries in South Africa to immediately and urgently reverse their decisions.”
“TRAVEL BANS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SCIENCE”
Expressing that the travel bans imposed on South Africa by other countries are incompatible with science, Ramaphosa said, “The only thing the travel ban will do is to further damage the economies of the countries affected by the mutation and undermine their ability to respond and control the pandemic.”
“IT IS UNFORGETTABLE DISCRIMINATION”
Expressing that the restrictions applied are unfair, Ramaphosa said, “It unfairly discriminates against our country and our sister countries in South Africa.”
After the discovery of Omicron, many countries, including the USA, France, Turkey and Qatar, decided to apply travel restrictions to South Africa and many African countries.
CALLING FROM WHO TO COUNTRIES: DON’T rush
In the statement made by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was stated that there is no data showing that Omicron is more contagious than other mutations of the virus, and there is no evidence that Omicron has more severe disease, different symptoms or spreads faster than other mutations. WHO urged countries not to rush to close their borders.
WHO stated that travel restrictions may play a role in reducing the spread of Covid-19, but “put a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods”, and stated that research on the Omicron mutation continues. WHO has advised countries to “not be unnecessarily intrusive and adopt a science-based approach”.
On the other hand, the Omicron mutation has so far been detected in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czechia, England, Italy, Israel, Hong Kong, South Africa, Botswana, Denmark and Australia.
Source: UAV