In a statement to the press, Health Minister Joe Phaahla claimed that South Africa acted with transparency on the new variant of Kovid 19 and that the travel bans were against the norms and standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Phaahla stated that the new variant is likely to spread faster than Delta and Beta, but that existing vaccines are likely to be effective against the “Omicron” variant.
Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said in a statement that South Africa respects the right of all countries to take the necessary measures to protect their citizens.
‘TRAVEL PROHIBITION’ FROM MANY COUNTRIES
Referring to the UK’s travel ban decision on South Africa, Pandor said, “This decision seems like a rushed decision that even WHO has not yet recommended.”
Minister Pandor expressed his concerns that the travel bans in question would seriously damage the country’s tourism.
The UK decided to impose a travel ban on the country after the new variant was detected in South Africa on 25 November.
Following this, on November 26, many countries, including Turkey, the USA, Russia, Italy, Canada, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, imposed travel restrictions on South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA TO CONSULT NATIONAL CORONAVIRUS COMMAND COUNCIL
The South African Presidency decided to convene the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) on November 28 to evaluate the developments regarding the new variant of Kovid-19.
Minister Mondli Gungubele, appointed from the Presidency Quota, stated that more consultations will take place in the coming days according to the results of this meeting.
Gungubele stated that the detection of the new variant proves that South Africa has a high level of scientific capacity. (AA)