"Omicron Already Spread, No Reason to Close Borders"…UK Lifts Entry Restrictions on Africa

People are coming out and spending time drinking on Soho Street in London, England.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The UK, which has restricted entry from African countries since the end of last month to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus variant 'Omicron,' has decided to lift these restrictions. This decision comes as Omicron is already spreading rapidly within the UK, making border controls ineffective.

Grant Shapps, UK Secretary of State for Transport, announced on the 14th (local time) that 11 countries, including South Africa, will be removed from the 'red list' starting at 4 a.m. on the 15th.

The UK designates red list countries based on COVID-19 risk assessments. To enter from a red list country, one must have UK citizenship or a long-term visa. Even then, entrants must quarantine for 10 days in government-designated facilities.

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, stated in the House of Commons, "Since the Omicron variant is spreading within UK communities and globally, restricting entry is not effective."

Previously, the UK had designated South Africa, the first country where Omicron was detected, along with Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as red list countries and restricted entry from these nations.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed Omicron variant cases in the UK has reached approximately 4,500, with 10 patients currently hospitalized. One death has also been reported. The UK's cumulative COVID-19 cases total 10,932,545, ranking fourth highest worldwide.

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