Europe shields itself from the new variant of South Africa: some countries close borders to prevent its spread

The European Commission has proposed to paralyze air traffic from southern Africa to prevent the expansion in Europe of the new variant of COVID-19 registered in South Africa.

“The European Commission will propose, in close coordination with the member states, activate the emergency brake to stop air traffic from the southern African region for variant B.1.1.529 “, announced the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

A) Yes, the EU would join in the adoption of similar measures taken and the United Kingdom and Israel. Although the president has referred to the “southern African region” without specifying which countries it would affect – it must be decided together with the member states – countries such as Israel have suspended flights from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini.

The decision comes after South Africa confirmed on Thursday the detection of a new variant of the coronavirus, identified as B.1.1.529, which has multiple mutations and which has aroused “concern” among specialists, although its impact has yet to be studied.

In total, so far, cases of this variant have been confirmed in South Africa, Hong Kong (in a traveler from the African nation) and neighboring Botswana, according to data provided by the South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Variant B.1.1.529 has more than thirty mutations and some of them are, according to South African scientists, cause for concern about its possible impact on transmissibility and for its potential ability to evade immunity or previous protection.

The Czech Republic bans travel from some countries

For its part, the Czech Republic has banned travel from South Africa and other African countries to prevent the spread of the new variant. This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jakub Kulhanek.

The ban, which takes effect on Saturday, applies to third-country nationals who spent more than 12 hours in the past two weeks in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.

Italy prohibits entry to those who have been in some countries

Italy has prohibited entry into the country to anyone who has passed through six African nations in the last 14 days as a preventive measure. The Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, has signed the order banning the entry of citizens who have passed through South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe. Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

“Our scientists are working to study the new variant. While we follow the path of maximum caution,” Speranza said in a statement to the media.

Austria closes its borders for travelers from southern Africa

The Government of Austria has just announced the closure of its borders for travelers arriving by plane from seven southern African countries, South Africa among them, before the appearance there of the new variant.

“We react quickly and consistently”, said the Austrian Prime Minister, the conservative Alexander Schallenberg, when announcing the measure that will come into force this next midnight.

The affected countries are South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini. Only Austrian citizens and residents of the country may enter Austria from those countries, although upon return they must stay in quarantine for ten days, in addition to undergoing a mandatory PCR test and registering with the authorities.

Germany to declare South Africa a risk zone

Acting Minister of Health Jens Spahn has announced that Germany to declare South Africa a risk zone for the new variant detected and as of tonight, only it will allow German citizens to enter the country from that region.

“Germany is going to declare South Africa a risk zone by variant. With the entry into force tonight, airlines will be able to transport to Germany only German citizens,” the minister has indicated through his Twitter account.

In addition, all travelers entering the country from the area, including those vaccinated, they must keep 14 days of quarantine. “We maintain caution in entering the country. The new variant detected worries us, that is why we act proactively and with time. The last thing we need now is the entry of a new variant that causes even more problems,” he declared.

The acting minister of the Chancellery, Helge Braun, had already spoken of the possibility of a suspension of the connections with the region. It has done so after indicating that “scientists are very alarmed” and that the Government intends to discuss this new variant with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) of virology.