Several countries have imposed travel restrictions on South Africa and other neighboring countries in an attempt to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus variant omicron.
According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, about 4,000 Swedes are in countries in southern Africa, most of whom are in South Africa.
At present, there is no travel advice for travel to countries in southern Africa, but the situation may change.
"Several countries have stopped flights from South Africa and neighboring countries and it is difficult to predict what further measures of this kind may be taken.
We therefore recommend Swedes in the area to closely follow the development and to review their home travel opportunities in consultation with their tour operator and insurance company.
Be well-read and follow the local rules on the spot ", writes the Foreign Ministry's press secretary John Runesson in an email to SVT.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is not relevant to evacuate any Swedes from the area.
Feeling singled out
Sweden's ambassador to South Africa, Håkan Juholt, believes that there is despair and anger in the country for being singled out as responsible for the new virus mutation.
After the news of the new virus mutation omikron began to spread, many Swedes living in South Africa have contacted the embassy for information.
- Several European countries are still open so many Swedes have rebooked and travel home earlier precisely because they do not want to get stuck here, he says.
No cases in Sweden
According to him, the embassy tries to help as much as possible, among other things by trying to find other alternative ways home, but he also emphasizes that it is each traveler's own responsibility to stay up to date.
According to the Swedish Public Health Agency, there was no confirmed case of the new virus mutation on Saturday afternoon.