The United Kingdom will veto flights from six African countries, including South Africa, from today, due to the spread of B.1.1.529.
The British Minister of Health, Sajid Javid, warned this Friday that the new variant of coronavirus B.1.1.529 could pose “a substantial risk to public health” and generates “enormous concern at the international level.”
In a statement before the House of Commons, Javid pointed out that this new variant detected for the first time in southern Africa “has, unusually, a large number of mutations” and recalled that the United Kingdom Health Security Agency classified it of “new variant under investigation with very high priority”.
As he said, “it is highly probable” that B.1.1.529 has “already spread to other countries.”
“We are concerned that this new variant may pose a substantial risk to public health. It has an unusually large number of mutations,” Javid stressed.
The head of Health noted that as a result of the first data available to experts “current vaccines could be less effective against it.”
According to the minister, the United Kingdom “is in a strong position thanks to the reopening (of the economy with the lifting of restrictions) during the summer and the program of booster doses” although he stressed that it must “act with caution”.
“The first indications show that this variant could be more transmissible than delta and that current vaccines could be less effective against it,” he said.
He also highlighted the fact that it could have an “impact on the effectiveness of one of the main treatments (against covid-19), Ronapreve.”
“We are working with our international partners, including South Africa and the European Union (EU), to ensure there is an aligned response,” the minister said.
In this sense, Javid stressed that the new variant is a “reminder to everyone that the pandemic is far from over” and urged citizens to “act with caution.”
The minister announced yesterday that this country will veto flights from six African countries, including South Africa, from today, due to the spread of B.1.1.529.
Specifically, the Executive has decided to temporarily suspend all air services from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana. (I)
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