South Africa: health minister angry over travel ban

The South African health minister Joe Phaahla has expressed his disappointment at the decision of some countries to suspend all flights from the country as a new variant of the coronavirus has been detected.

Mr Phaahla on Friday says the introduction of travel restrictions by a number of countries against southern African nations are “completely against the norms and standards” set out by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the minister, foreign scientists have not presented any evidence that the new variant has the capacity to evade protection offered by vaccines.

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He urged all South Africans to come forward and get vaccinated for it is the only way to prevent serious infections and illnesses.