UK enforces travel ban on 33 countries, 16 in Africa, over new Covid-19 variant

The UK has recently announced its decision to ban entry to travelers from 33 countries, 16 from Africa, starting February 15. This is in an attempt to contain the spread of the new Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa.

“If you have been in or through any of the countries listed below in the previous 10 days, you will be refused entry to the UK. If you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK, you will be able to enter but you must quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days,” reads the UK government’s statement.

Also read: South Africa: 20 land borders opened, fake Covid-19 certificate holders to be banned for years

In another statement, the UK partly justifies its “decision to ban travel from these destinations (…) follows the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, first identified in South Africa, that may have spread to other countries, including the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda. Any exemptions usually in place will not apply, including for business travel”.

The full list can be found below: