Omicron variant: which countries are restricting travel to and from African nations?

The new coronavirus variant has resulted in nations swiftly halting travel to countries including South Africa

Countries around the world have moved quickly to restrict travel to a number of southern African nations after the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, which has been named Omicron.

Curbs have been placed on travel to and from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and in some cases Malawi.

The Covid-19 mutation as been designated a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation, which said: “This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other [variants of concern]."

The UK, the US, Australia and the UAE are among the nations to halt travel to southern Africa.

UK adds four more countries to red list

The UK added Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia from 4am on Sunday, joining South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

"We're not going to stop people travelling, but we will require anyone who enters the UK to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and to self-isolate until they have a negative result," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday.

Dutch health authorities said that 61 people who arrived in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa on Friday tested positive for Covid-19, and they were conducting further testing early on Saturday to see if any of the infections are with the recently discovered Omicron variant.

The Dutch government banned all air travel from southern Africa early on Friday.

Travellers queue for PCR tests at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg after several countries banned flights from South Africa following the discovery of the Omicron coronavirus variant. AFP

A healthcare worker tests a passenger at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Several countries across the world have banned ban flights from southern Africa following the discovery of the Omicron variant. AFP

A healthcare worker helps a traveller to obtain his PCR test result at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, after several countries banned flights from South Africa following the discovery of a new coronavirus variant called Omicron. AFP

Travellers queue at a check-in counter at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, after several countries banned flights from South Africa. AFP

Several countries across the world have banned flights from southern Africa following the discovery of the Omicron variant. AFP

A passenger checks a noticeboard displaying cancelled flights at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. AFP

Noticeboards display cancelled flights at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. AFP

Passengers wait to board flights at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Reuters

People wait at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Many nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of the Omicron coronavirus variant that was detected in South Africa. AP

People line up to get on a flight to Paris at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Many nations have halted air travel from southern Africa in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible coronavirus variant. AP

Flights are cancelled at Cape Town International Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National

Financial effect

Markets plunged on Friday, with stocks of airlines and others in the travel sector hit particularly hard.

Investors said they were worried the variant could cause another surge in the pandemic and stall a global recovery. Oil prices tumbled by about $10 a barrel.

Countries restricting travel to Africa

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Brazil

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Egypt

France

Germany

Guatemala

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jordan

Morocco

Netherlands

Oman

Philippines

Qatar

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Sri Lanka

Thailand

UAE

UK

US

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More Omicron coverage

• WHO labels B.1.1.529 Omicron strain as 'variant of concern'
• UAE suspends entry of travellers from 7 southern African nations
• What is known about the B.1.1.529 'Omicron' Covid-19 variant from South Africa?