The United Kingdom Government has extended travel restrictions to Zambia and Southern African countries from today Saturday, 9th January, 2021 to protect against the spread of a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa, by Diramakini Reporter.
According to Mrs. Abigail Chaponda,First Secretary, Press and Public Relations in Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom, entry into England will be banned to those who have travelled from or through any Southern African country in the last 10 days, including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola, as well as Seychelles and Mauritius. The move, in addition to the travel ban imposed on South Africa on 23rd December, 2020, follows new data on the steep rise in incidence of the new variant, that has vastly increased the risk of community transmission between nine other southern African countries as well as the Seychelles and Mauritius, which both have strong travel links with South Africa.
Urgent restrictions are therefore now needed to prevent the spread of this strain in the UK.
The measures will be in place for an initial period of two weeks while the scientific data and alternative ways to protect the UK and Africa are reviewed.
British and Irish Nationals, longer-term visa holders and permanent residents who have travelled to all countries in southern Africa, Seychelles and Mauritius in the last 10 days will have to self-isolate along with their household the measures will be in place for an initial period of two weeks.
Any exemptions usually in place, including for those related to employment will not apply and those British nationals arriving into England from the other southern African countries, Seychelles and Mauritius after 4am on Saturday 9 January cannot be released from self-isolation through Test to Release.
People sharing a household with anyone self-isolating from these countries will also have to self-isolate for 10 days.