Major Countries Ban Entry from South Africa and Neighboring Areas Amid 'Omicron' Spread

A woman is walking past a TV repair shop in Cape Town, South Africa, on the 26th (local time). The World Health Organization (WHO) is consulting with South African authorities regarding the detection of a new variant of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 'B.1.1.529.60', in South Africa. As a result, many flights connecting South Africa and Europe have been suspended. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] As the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' spreads in South Africa, major countries around the world have begun to control entry from South Africa and neighboring countries.

On the 25th (local time), the United Kingdom, Israel, the 27 European Union (EU) member countries, the United States, and major Asia-Pacific countries took measures to block travelers from South Africa and nearby regions.

Earlier, on the 26th, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the new coronavirus variant (B.1.1.529) as a 'variant of concern' and named it 'Omicron' (ο·Omicron), the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.

Accordingly, Europe quickly imposed restrictions on travelers arriving from South Africa and neighboring countries, and Asia-Pacific countries largely followed this trend.

Singapore decided to ban entry or transit from 11:59 PM on the 27th for those who have visited South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zimbabwe in the past two weeks. Japan also mandated a 10-day quarantine from the 27th for arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Lesotho, and from the 28th, the same regulations will apply to arrivals from Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia.

Other Asian and Middle Eastern countries such as India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Morocco also plan to ban or control entry of people departing from South Africa and neighboring countries.

South Korea still has open flights to and from Africa. Experts are pointing out the need for a swift response. Regarding this, the Central Disease Control Headquarters stated, "A risk assessment and response plan meeting is scheduled, and after discussion at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, a course of action will be decided soon."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.