South African health minister slams travel bans

South Africa’s health minister has condemned the travel restrictions being imposed against the country after the discovery of a new coronavirus variant.

Speaking to reporters on Friday evening, Joe Phaahla says the introduction of travel restrictions by a number of countries against southern African nations are “completely against the norms and standards” set out by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“We want to reassure South Africans that some of the reaction has been unjustified,” Phaahla says.

He adds that foreign scientists have not presented any evidence that the new variant has the capacity to evade protection offered by vaccines, though he accepts that early signs suggest it is more transmissible.

He calls on South Africans to come forward and receive the jab, which he says remains a “major bulwark” against infection and severe illness.

By BBC