South African President DEMANDS URGENT LIFTING OF TRAVEL BANS OVER OMICRON

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday called on countries to immediately and urgently reverse scientifically unjustified travel bans linked to the discovery of the new coronavirus variant Omicron. According to reports, dozens of nations from Europe to Asia have blacklisted South Africa and its neighbors since South African scientists flagged off Omicron on November 25. The flight bans have angered several African leaders.

Also, the World Health Organization has labelled Omicron a variant of concern, while scientists are still assessing its virulence.

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa argued that the ban was not informed by science. The countries that have already imposed travel restrictions on southern Africa include key travel hub Qatar, the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Netherlands. Earlier on Sunday, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera accused Western countries of Afrophobia for shutting their borders.