Several countries are beginning to secure their borders because of the new
Indice
Foreign nationals who are banned from entering the United States because they have been to one of eight African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique and Malawi) in the previous 14 days will be able to travel again on flights bound for U.S. territory departing after 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (05:00 GMT on December 31).
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, and MalawiOn November 29, the United States banned access to nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been to these countries out of “over-caution” for the variant detected in South Africa.
The restrictions have not prevented flights or Americans from returning from southern Africa. Dr. Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert, said Monday that the lifting of the restrictions was because “we have enough infections in our own country.” “We’re letting in people from other countries that have as much or more infection than southern African countries.”
The Agenda: Travel restrictions to the U.S. for
The cascade of country restrictions began Thursday night when the United Kingdom announced it would temporarily suspend flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Singapore has opted to ban entry to all non-residents from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, while returning nationals and permanent residents from any of these countries will be required to spend 10 days at home. Malaysia has also taken similar measures.
Meanwhile, Germany plans to declare South Africa a “virus variant area” as of Friday night, which will mean that airlines will only be able to enter from the country to repatriate German nationals.
The United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries as of Monday. Following advice from Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Biden administration will restrict travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
U.S. to lift restrictions on U.S. flights on Friday
(CNN) – The Biden administration is lifting travel restrictions to eight southern African countries that were implemented last month after the Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa, a White House official told CNN.
The restrictions will be lifted on Dec. 31 at 12:01 a.m. In late November, Biden, on the advice of his health team, restricted travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
The measures barred nearly all foreign nationals who had been “physically present” in the countries during the “14-day period prior to their entry or attempted entry into the United States.”
Holiday travel will pick up again soon, and it is likely to be another busy time for U.S. travelers despite the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Vacation air travel is now at a higher level than pre-pandemic levels.
COVID19/ South Africa criticizes ‘draconian’ prohibitions
WASHINGTON – The U.S. government gave notice Friday that starting next Monday it will place restrictions on travelers from South Africa and seven other countries in southern Africa in the face of a new variant of the coronavirus dubbed “omicron.”
“As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries,” President Joe Biden said in a statement sent by the White House.
The new restrictions will go into effect Nov. 29 and as information and knowledge of the omicron variant advances, Biden said, further decisions could be made based on what science and the medical team of advisors advise him.
President Biden made the decision after hearing suggestions from his chief medical advisor, Anthony Fauci, and officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).