The new Corona variant Omikron is spreading extremely quickly. More and more countries are therefore imposing travel restrictions. But what is the case now?
Frankfurt – The fourth corona wave hit Germany in full, and now the new Omikron variant is threatening from all sides. More and more countries are reporting cases with B.1.1.529, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the variant as “worrying”. On Monday morning it was also announced that the WHO assessed the global risk from Omikron as “very high”.
It is therefore not surprising that some countries have now issued travel restrictions. Some states currently even completely prohibit foreigners from entering the country.
Travel restrictions in Germany: This applies because of Omikron
Omikron recently reached Germany. The variant was detected in three travelers in Munich as well as in one returnee from South Africa in Hesse. Since November 28, the German federal government has therefore declared the following countries to be virus variant areas:
- South Africa
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Eswatini
But what does this classification mean exactly? Airlines are only allowed to carry German citizens or people living in Germany to Germany from the said countries. In addition, there is a 14-day quarantine obligation after arrival – regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Further travel restrictions by Omikron: Israel is closing
Great Britain had already issued travel restrictions before Germany. On November 25, the British were the first country to announce that it would suspend flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. Other countries – including Germany – followed suit in the following days.
The following countries have issued entry restrictions for travelers from numerous African countries (including South Africa):
- France
- Austria
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Switzerland
- Greece
- Russia
- Turkey
- Finland
- Malta
- Colombia
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- Bahrain
- Sri Lanka
- Brazil
- Pakistan
- Egypt
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Dubai
- Jordan
- Angola
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
The USA, Canada, South Korea and Australia have also issued entry bans for eight countries, including South Africa. Israel has even closed the borders completely. Since November 28, no more foreigners have been allowed into the country. Japan and Morocco have also decided on something similar.
The Philippines, on the other hand, have passed travel bans for people from Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy until December 15.
Travel bans against South Africa are causing criticism
The travel restrictions issued due to Omikron serve to contain its spread. However, the drastic measures also cause criticism in many places. Some experts see a “punishment” for South Africa in the form of travel bans. These could ensure that countries could keep new variants secret in the future.
Ayoade Alakija, head of the African Union’s vaccine initiative, criticized the BBC: “What is happening now could have been avoided. It follows from the failure of the world to distribute the vaccine fairly, urgently and quickly. It follows that developed countries have been hoarding vaccination doses. This is unacceptable. Travel restrictions are based on political decisions, not scientific ones, they are wrong. ”Nc
List of rubric lists: © Ariel Schalit / dpa
