Israel bans entry from 7 African countries due to new COVID-19 variant

Xinhua
26 Nov 2021, 07:30 GMT+10

JERUSALEM, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel announced on Thursday a ban on entry of travelers from seven African countries, after a new COVID-19 variant was detected in South Africa.

Amid reports of the heavily mutated variant known as B.1.1529, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horwitz decided to list South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini as "red countries," the prime minister's office said in a statement.

"Foreigners from these countries will not be able to enter Israel," it said.

Israeli citizens who return home from trips to these countries will need to stay in a designated quarantine motel for seven days, even if they are fully vaccinated, it said.

They will be released after two negative PCR tests. Travelers who refuse to be tested will need to stay in quarantine for 12 days, according to the statement.

Scientists in South Africa said they have detected the new COVID-19 variant and are still studying its implications.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cape Town Express.

More Information

17 ℃

Fair in Cape Town

International

Section

New German government says workers should expect 25% pay increase

BERLIN, Germany: Almost 2 million workers in Germany, Europe's largest economy, are set for a major pay increase, as part ...

After riots, labor strife France weighs semi-autonomy for Guadeloupe

PARIS, France: The French government is offering increased autonomy for the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, after COVID-19-related riots and long-running ...