Asian and European countries tighten restrictions alarmed by the new variant of COVID-19

Global authorities reacted this Friday, alarmed at the new variant of coronavirus detected in South Africa, with the European Union (EU), United Kingdom and India among which announced the tightening of their border controls while scientists tried to determine if the mutation it is resistant to current vaccines.

The United Kingdom temporarily banned flights from South Africa and neighboring countries, asking British travelers returning from these destinations to quarantine themselves, while the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reported the intention of the block to interrupt flights to South Africa.

Scientists are still learning about the variant, first identified earlier this week, but the news plunged global stocks and oil amid fears of the effect that new travel restrictions could have on already damaged African economies. for the pandemic.

The variant has a spike protein that is extremely different from the original coronavirus that COVID-19 vaccines are based on, the UK Health Security Agency said, raising fears about the likelihood of success of current injections. , so far effective against the better known delta variant.

“As scientists have described it, (this is) the most notable variant they have detected to date”The British Transport Minister told Sky News channel, Grant Shapps.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold an expert meeting in Geneva at 1100 GMT. Experts in the field will discuss the risks that the new variant B.1.1.529 of COVID-19 poses and whether it should be declared as “variant of interest” O “worrying variant”(According to the nomenclature used by the WHO), according to a spokesman for the organization.

Nearly 100 sequences of the variant have been reported, with initial analyzes showing that it exhibits “a large number of mutations“That require further study, said the WHO spokesman.

An epidemiologist said it may be too late to tighten travel restrictions.

“I think we have to recognize that this virus is most likely already present elsewhere. This way, if we close the door now, it’s probably going to be too late.“, said Ben Cowling, from Hong Kong University.

South African authorities will contact the UK authorities to try to reconsider their ban, the country’s Foreign Ministry reported in Pretoria.

“Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to the tourism sector and companies of both countries.”Said the South African Foreign Minister in a statement, Naledi Pandor.

“Quickly, energetically, now”

The variant, identified as B.1.1.529, has also been identified in Botswana and Hong Kong, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Israel reported that it will prohibit its citizens from traveling to southern Africa after detecting a case of the new variant in a traveler returning from Malawi.

“We are on the brink of a state of emergency”Said the Israeli prime minister, Naftali Bennett, according to a statement released by his office. “Our main criteria is to act fast, energetically, now“, said.

Several European countries had previously expanded the scope of their booster vaccination and tightened their restrictions, with the continent battling a fourth wave of the coronavirus, led by the more well-known delta variant. Many countries in the region have reported a record daily increase in cases.

The new wave and the discovery of the new variant comes at a time when both Europe and the United States are preparing for the boreal winter, with more people holding meetings indoors in the middle of the pre-Christmas season, creating an ideal breeding ground for infections. .

Italy imposed an entry ban on people who have visited a group of southern African states in the last 14 days, while Germany will declare South Africa a virus variant zone after the detection of the new variant in that country, he said. a source from the German Ministry of Health.

After relaxing some of its travel restrictions earlier this month, the central government of India issued a warning to all states to test and rigorously monitor international travelers from South Africa and other countries. “risky”.

Singapore’s Health Ministry said it will restrict arrivals from South Africa and nearby countries as a precaution, while Japan tightened border controls for visitors from South Africa and five other African countries.

The coronavirus has swept the world in the two years since it was first identified in central China, infecting nearly 260 million people and killing 5.4 million.