Coronavirus: Countries shut borders over new variant
The UK and Singapore are among those rushing in stricter quarantine measures or banning flights from South Africa and neighbouring countries.
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The UK and Singapore are among those rushing in stricter quarantine measures or banning flights from South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Authorities in Beitbridge yesterday ordered the quarantining of 49 returnees from South Africa after intercepting a passenger on a bus, who had come from India and was travelling with a fake Covid-19 clearance certificate.
Health experts yesterday warned of a dire situation ahead as the third wave of COVID-19, which has reportedly hit the country in the face of threats posed by the South African and new Indian variants at a time when there are reports of a shortage in COVID-19 vaccines.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has confirmed 59 more Covid-19 deaths, taking South Africa’s death toll to over 54 511. Total infections since the pandemic arrived are now over 1.58 million, with 1187 infections recorded in the past 24 hours.
There is now a 61% dominance of the new South African variant of the Covid-19 virus which spreads faster and has a higher fatality rate, says Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has denied they are returning the 1 million AstraZeneca doses they received from the Serum Institute of India.
Rwanda flag carrier airline RwandAir yesterday announced the suspension of flights on its southern Africa routes due to concerns on Covid-19 variants prevalent throughout the region.
A number of countries have announced travel bans to and from South Africa, citing fears of the new Covid-19 variant discovered in the country.