On Friday, South Africa stated that imposing travel restrictions on it because of a newly identified COVID-19 variant was unjustified, after a British ban on flights from southern African countries that others have followed. South Africa’s Health Minister Joe Phaahla stated that South Africa was acting with transparency and travel bans were against the norms and standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which held an emergency meeting over the new variant.
Scientists have so far only detected the B.1.1.529 variant in relatively small numbers, mainly in South Africa but also in Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel, but they are concerned by its high number of mutations which could make it vaccine-resistant and more transmissible. The foreign ministry stated that South Africa would speak to Britain to try to get it to reconsider its ban and President Cyril Ramaphosa will convene an advisory council on Sunday to consider evidence on the variant. Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor stated, “Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to both the tourism industries and businesses of both countries.”
Delta, United not revising South Africa flights amid variant concerns
On Friday, Delta Airlines and United Airlines stated that they do not plan any changes to their South Africa-US routes after the White House stated it plans to impose new travel curbs on southern Africa starting Monday amid concerns about a new COVID-19 variant. Delta and United are the only US passenger carriers that have direct flights to southern Africa.
Delta currently operates service between Johannesburg and Atlanta three times weekly and the US airline stated, “There are no planned adjustments to service at this time.” The White House stated that it plans to bar entry to most non-US citizens who have been in South Africa and seven other African countries within the last 14 days. United stated that it “remains committed to maintaining a safe and vital link for essential supplies and personnel to transit between the African continent and the United States as feasible. We don’t have any adjustments to our schedule at this time.”
