Germany introduces an entry ban for South Africa from today. Airlines are only allowed to transport German citizens to Germany. They must be quarantined for 14 days on arrival, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. The measure may also apply to South Africa’s neighboring countries. Austria took a similar measure.
Italy on Czech Republic impose an entry ban on anyone who has visited South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland in a period of 14 days.
Also The Netherlands introduces entry bans from several countries in southern Africa as of today. Only Dutch nationals and residents of the European Union are still welcome. Our northern neighbors are also introducing a quarantine obligation and a double test obligation for those who return in a different way.
France cancels all flights to and from various countries in southern Africa. People who have returned from southern Africa in the past 14 days should present themselves for a PCR test as soon as possible.
Countries outside the European Union have already taken measures. It United Kingdom already decided yesterday to ban all flights from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland from today. Anyone who comes to the United Kingdom from those countries in any other way must be quarantined.
Also Israel takes measures. Anyone who is not a resident of Israel and comes from South Africa or one of its neighboring countries is no longer allowed to enter Israel. Additional quarantine and testing conditions also apply for returning travelers.
Switzerland in turn imposes entry restrictions on travelers from southern Africa, Israel, Hong Kong, but also from Belgium. Anyone coming from those countries must be able to present a negative test and be quarantined for 10 days.
South Africa reacts displeased with the travel restrictions. According to the South African government, these are completely contrary to the norms and standards of the World Health Organization. She does acknowledge that research suggests that the new variant is indeed more contagious than the already quite contagious delta variant.
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