Punished for doing the right thing: Health department condemns sudden travel ban
- Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has lamented the decision to suddenly ban flights from South Africa
- He was upset that South Africa's transparency had been rewarded with what many are seeing as a punishment
- The sudden travel ban has caused a great deal of panic and uncertainty in South Africa
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JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Health has reacted with anger to the sudden decision by a number of governments to ban flights from South Africa.
South Africa has been placed back on the red list after the new Covid 19 variant was detected.
Source: UGC
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla lamented the fact that South Africa did the right thing by being completely transparent with the discovery of the variant.
He said that the sudden decision had created a great deal of panic and uncertainty according to New24.
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Phaahla was asked if South Africa would retaliate to the decision. He replied that the South African government has not used retaliation in the past.
The new Covid 19 variant B.1.1.529 is still very much an unknown quantity and until more tests are carried out it is not certain if the new variant is more resistant to the current vaccines available.
BBC News reported that the new variant has been named Omicron.
Covid 19: 61 South Africans land in Netherlands test positive for virus
The Dutch health authorities have confirmed that 61 South Africans who arrived in Amsterdam on two separate flights have tested positive for Covid 19.
This comes after the European Union announced a flight ban on South Africa and five other African countries.
Tests were being carried out to determine if the infected passengers are carrying the new Covid 19 variant B.1.1.529.
Covid 19: Mzansi is glad there's no mandatory vaccination in SA like in Austria
Austria is the first country in Western Europe that will reimplement a full lockdown to help curb the spread of Covid19. In addition to a full lockdown, the Austria government has made the decision to make Covid19 vaccinations are a requirement.
The country has seen a sharp increase in Covid19 infections as well as hospitalisation in recent days, with hospitals fast filling up.
According to Reuters, although two-thirds of the Austrian population have already received their jab, a lot of people have been quite hesitant to get their Covid19 shot and the hesitancy is reportedly urged by the Freedom Party, a far-right political organisation.
Source: Briefly News
