UK, Israel place South Africa on red list over COVID-19 mutant variant

Concerns about a newly identified COVID-19 variant have prompted the United Kingdom and Israel to impose a temporary ban on flights from South Africa and five other African countries.

The travel restrictions in the UK will take effect on Friday to help control the spread of the new variant, according to Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

Mr. Javid stated that the new variant discovered in South Africa “may be more transmissible” than the Delta strain, and that “current vaccines may be less effective.”

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On Sunday, the six countries will be added to the UK’s red list, requiring travelers to check into hotels for quarantine. Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa are among them.

A virologist at Imperial College London discovered the variant. Scientists have expressed concern about the newly discovered B.1.1.529 mutant variant. The variant has the ability to overcome immunity acquired through vaccination or infection.

Though no cases of the new variant have been reported in the UK, officials are concerned about a rapid rise in cases in South Africa, where around 100 specimens have been confirmed as B.1.1.529. The same variant was discovered in Botswana and Hong Kong, where the patient was a South African traveller.

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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ordered an immediate halt to all flights to and from South Africa and its neighboring countries after consulting with Israeli public health officials.

Regardless of vaccination status, anyone returning from these countries will be subjected to a seven-day mandatory quarantine at a state-run facility. Only after two negative PCR tests will they be released, and passengers who refuse to be tested will be held in quarantine for 14 days.