UK red-lists Zimbabwe, 5 others over new Covid variant

The United Kingdom has announced a red-list of six African countries, including Zimbabwe, over a new Covid-19 variant.

Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini are affected by the new restrictions.

Flights from the countries concerned will be temporarily banned and UK travelers must quarantine on arrival due to concerns over the newly identified variant.

It is feared that the strain may spread faster than the Delta variant and current vaccinations may be less effective, according to Health Secretary Savid Javid.

The new highly-mutated variant seen in SA has seen cases surging from 100 to more than 1000 per day. There are however only 22 cases of the variant that have been recorded.

SA has since called for an urgent meeting of the World Health Organisation, which is to be held on Friday to determine whether the new variant is of ‘interest’ or ‘concern’. Scientists says that the variant could have as many 30 mutations. Beta had three. They do however feel the current vaccinations can help even though there is still precious little data.