The European Union is considering restricting travel from southern Africa due to the new strain of Corona
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, said today, Friday, that it wants to restrict air travel from southern Africa to the bloc due to fears of a new strain of the Corona virus, following similar steps announced by Britain and Israel.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet that the EU's executive arm "will propose, in close coordination with member states, to apply emergency brakes to halt air travel from southern Africa due to the B.1.1.529 strain."
Several member states, including Italy, Germany and Austria, announced new restrictions on flights.
However, the World Health Organization said Friday that while measures based on scientific data and risk assessments are recommended, travel restrictions are not recommended at this time.
"At this point, travel restrictions are not advised," WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said in Geneva.
He reviewed closely monitoring the infection pattern and genetic analysis of coronavirus infections, which have emerged as a means by which governments can contain the spread of new mutations without imposing travel restrictions.
"At this point there are reservations about the travel restrictions," he said.
He added that well-known treatments such as masks, hand hygiene, fresh air and avoiding crowded places are also effective against B.1.1.529.
WHO officials said it will take a few weeks to learn more and decide whether it should be classified as a "mutation of interest" or a "mutation of concern".
The new strain was monitored in southern Africa.
Infections with this strain were confirmed in Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong, according to the British Press Association news agency.
On Thursday, Israel and Britain announced new travel restrictions for several African countries due to concerns about a new strain of the Corona virus.
Israel suspended travel from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini with immediate effect.
Britain suspended flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe from midday on Friday.
Later in the day, governments in several European countries announced new restrictions.
And the German Minister of Health, Jens Spahn, announced that only airlines will be allowed to return German citizens from South Africa to Germany.
And the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Health announced the imposition of similar restrictions on non-Austrians coming from the same country, while "basically (travel) was banned," according to a press release.
French Prime Minister Jean Castix stated that his country had banned flights from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini, in a measure with immediate effect for at least 48 hours.
A similar ban was imposed by the Dutch government, which took effect from Friday noon.
Officials classified South Africa and other affected countries in the region as a high-risk area.
Malta also temporarily banned travel to and from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe from 12 am between Saturday and Sunday, Health Minister Chris Fern said in a tweet.
The Czech Republic also banned non-EU citizens from entering the country from the same six African countries for the same reasons, in a measure that will take effect on Saturday.
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