EU may ease travel restrictions on Southern Africa by next week – report

The ministers of health of the European Union (EU) are expected to meet on Tuesday, 7 December. The travel bans placed on South Africa and its neighbouring countries after the detection of the Omicron variant is likely to be a hot topic, according to an EU diplomat.

EU LIKELY TO EASE TRAVEL BANS NEXT WEEK

According to Bloomberg, EU health ministers are expected to meet on Tuesday to officially discuss booster doses, the vaccination of children and the COVID-19 preventative measures nations have in place.

An EU diplomat told the publication that while the travel ban adjustment is not on the formal agenda of the meeting, it is likely to be discussed.

The insider said one of the options under consideration – if the travel restrictions are relaxed – is to require vaccinated people from the affected countries to undergo a PCR test. This move could reportedly see the bans lifted or eased within a week.

According to Bloomberg, the EU coordinates travel into the bloc and between member states. However, the countries are responsible for implementing their own specific travel restrictions.

EU members, along with several countries across the world, hastily slapped travel restrictions on South Africa and other southern African nations after local scientists disclosed the detection of the variant of concern.

Since then the Omicron variant has been detected in countries the world over with no links to South Africa or the region.

ALSO READ:

First European case of Omicron variant ‘had no links with South Africa’