New Covid-19 variant: US to restrict travel from 8 southern African countries

US President Joe Biden will restrict travel to the United States from eight southern African countries effective from Monday over concerns about a new Covid-19 variant found in South Africa, a senior administration official said on Friday.

The official said the restrictions will apply to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi and were being “implemented out of an abundance of caution in light of a new Covid-19 variant circulating in Southern Africa.”

ALSO READ:

• Covid-19: UAE suspends entry of travellers from seven countries

• Covid-19: WHO names new virus variant 'omicron', classifies it as 'highly transmissible'

• Dubai flights: Travel from 7 African countries restricted until further notice, effective from Nov 29

• Covid-19: Here's what we know about the new variant detected in South Africa

• New Covid-19 variant: EU states agree to suspend travel to southern Africa

The policy does not ban flights or apply to American citizens and lawful permanent residents, the official said. The United States only lifted travel restrictions on South Africa on November 8

• Americas