Jan, 22nd 2021 – The UK has banned all arrivals from Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) effective today, to stop the spread of the South Africa variant of Covid-19.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, said continuity of monitoring Covid-19 rates, and new strains of the virus across the globe, alongside the suspension of travel corridors and pre-departure testing, will help protect the borders.
Earlier this month, passengers from 11 other southern African countries were banned from entering the UK for similar reasons.
According to Shapps, the ban will not apply to British or Irish nationals including those with residency rights returning to the country. In a tweet, Mr. Shapps said, “To help to stop the spread of the Covid-19 variant identified in South Africa, we are banning all arrivals from Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo from 4 am tomorrow.”
He added, “All passengers from these countries except British and Irish Nationals and third-country nationals with residents rights will be denied entry.”
Travel restrictions will continue to apply to many countries in southern Africa to protect against a COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa.
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) January 21, 2021
This includes:
South Africa
Namibia
Zimbabwe
Botswana
Eswatini
Zambia
Malawi
Lesotho
Mozambique
Angola pic.twitter.com/4u8C9PJaYJ
He also noted that they will continue to monitor the situation to ensure safety. He said, “We are continuing to monitor Covid-19 rates and new strains of the virus across the globe, this alongside the suspension of travel corridors and pre-departure testing will help protect our borders.”
The new variant is believed to be about 50% more infectious than the one in the UK
To help to stop the spread of the COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa, we are banning all arrivals from Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo from 4am tomorrow.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) January 21, 2021