Germany considers ban on flights to and from South Africa

Both the UK and South Africa are experiencing surges in new variants of COVID-19 infections. The German government is considering a ban on flights to and from the UK and South Africa due to the fast-spreading strain which has been detected in both countries.

NEW COVID-19 STRAIN FOUND IN SA AND UK

The new, more infectious strain of the coronavirus was discovered during genetic testing. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Friday that the new strain was spreading fast in South Africa. Similarly, almost 36,000 infections were reported in the UK on Sunday.

The new strain of the virus has been spreading fast in England, where stricter tier four lockdown restrictions have now been imposed. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said infection rates were out of control.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ACT FAST

Countries in Europe have acted swiftly by imposing new measures to curb the rise of the fast-spreading new strain of the coronavirus. The Netherlands, now under a five-week lockdown, has imposed a ban on flights to and from the UK. It was effective from 05:00 on Sunday 20 December and will last until 1 January 2021.  

Belgium also announced a ban on all flights and train services to and from the UK, effective from midnight on 20 December. Other countries are expected to follow in the footsteps of Belgium and the Netherlands in an effort to protect their populations.  

GERMANY CONSIDERS FLIGHT BANS

Chief virologist Christian Drosten at Berlin’s Charite Hospital said on Twitter that the new COVID-19 strain had not yet been detected in Germany. A source for the German government said Berlin was considering implementing measures to prevent the spread of the mutated variant of the coronavirus.

The German government is monitoring the situation and will be considering flight bans.

ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED FROM LUFTHANSA

It remains to be seen if Lufthansa Airlines will suspend flights between Germany and South Africa in light of the fact that the German airline committed to serving South Africa. Lufthansa was also the first airline to land in South Africa on 1 October, when South Africa reopened its borders.

The German airline had also been increasing the frequency of its flights between Germany and South Africa, and offered attractive promotional fares to Europe starting from under R5,000 return.