Omicron found ‘worldwide’ – but only African countries appear on UK red list
Hmm, interesting. The UK expanded its travel red list on Sunday, completely banning flights into southern Africa over fears of the newly discovered Omicron variant. However, it seems the British have a rather selective policy.
Countries on the UK red list for travel – Sunday 28 November
The first cluster of Omicron cases was initially detected in Southern Africa, with Botswana and South Africa declaring their discoveries early. However, no good deed goes unpunished, and after SA’s Health Department went public with their findings, a whole host of countries closed their borders to Mzansi.
The UK red list for travel is notorious in its severity, too. Travellers from South Africa will be forced into a ‘hotel quarantine’, which could cost them anywhere between R30 000 to R40 000. The following nations appear on this list:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- Zimbabwe
- Namibia
- Angola
- Mozambique
- Malawi
- Zambia
Which countries have found cases of the Omicron variant?
However, if fears about the spread of the Omicron variant are being used to justify harsh and controversial travel restrictions, then one has to wonder why the UK hasn’t added more countries to the red list. The new strain has been detected in the following locations, but they are being treated differently from their Southern African counterparts.
- Germany
- Italy
- Israel
- Hong Kong
- Belgium
- The UK itself has two confirmed Omicron cases
- There are also suspected cases in the US, Czech Republic, Australia and The Netherlands
The UK red list policy raises questions
Consistency is key in a pandemic, and if the UK can close its doors to half a continent, why is it being less hasty when it comes to European neighbours and other global superpowers? For some, the mind boggles.
The extent of the danger posed by Omicron isn’t yet known. It was stated on Thursday that this variant could be more transmissible than Delta, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be more dangerous. Furthermore, South African scientists are still confident that vaccines will neutralise any serious threat posed by the mutations.
Breaking: UK expand its travel ban Red list again
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) November 27, 2021— adding Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola from tomorrow — (in addition to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, & Eswatini already on the list). #Omicron pic.twitter.com/t2jdau3cRg
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