The European Commission said on Friday it wants to limit air travel from southern African into the bloc due to fears about a new Covid-19 variant discovered there, following similar moves announced by Britain and Israel.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that the EU executive branch would propose, in close coordination with member states, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the new variant, B.1.1.529.
Several member states, including Italy, Germany and Austria, announced new restrictions on flights.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday that while measures based on scientific data and risk assessments were recommended, travel restrictions were not advised at this time.
"At this point, implementing travel measures is being cautioned against," said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier in Geneva.
He outlined close monitoring of infection patterns and genetic analysis of emerging coronavirus cases as ways governments can contain the spread of new variants without travel restrictions.
"At this stage, there are reservations about travel restrictions," Lindmeier said. He said known remedies such as masks, hand hygiene, fresh air and avoiding crowds were also effective against B.1.1.529.
Later on Friday, the WHO is due to consider whether the variant should be classified as "of concern."
The new variant has been detected in southern Africa, with coronavirus cases with the variant confirmed in Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong, Britain's PA news agency reported.
On Thursday, Israel and Britain announced new travel restrictions on several African countries due to concerns about a new coronavirus variant.
Israel reclassified South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini with immediate effect - foreigners from these countries can no longer travel to Israel.
Britain suspended flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.
For the European Union, the commission has been issuing travel recommendations for member states to implement since the pandemic hit Europe in the early months of last year.
Many of these were eased in recent months. But the bloc is currently grappling with a fresh wave of infections despite high vaccination rates in most member states.
Later on Friday, the governments in several European countries announced new restrictions.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the country would restrict flights from South Africa. From late on Friday, only flights carrying German citizens to Germany will be permitted to fly.
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza said entry would be banned from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini.
The Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Health announced similar restrictions for non-Austrians coming from the same countries, with travel "fundamentally prohibited," according to a press release.
France also banned flights from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini, in a measure effective immediately for at least 48 hours, Prime Minister Jean Castex said.
Anyone reaching France after travelling in those countries in the last 14 days should report to the health authorities and take a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test as soon as possible.
A similar ban was imposed by the Dutch government, effective from noon (1100 GMT) on Friday. Officials also designated South Africa and other affected countries in the region as high-risk areas.
"This is a precautionary measure to slow down the introduction of a new variant that may be more contagious," said Health Minister Hugo de Junge, according to ANP news agency.
Malta likewise temporarily banned travel to and from six sub-Saharan African countries on similar concerns.
Travel to and from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe will be barred as of 12 am between Saturday and Sunday, Health Minister Chris Fearne tweeted.
Czech officials also banned non-EU citizens from entering the country from Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and four other African countries, on similar concerns, in a measure effective as of Saturday.
Source: DPA
