THE government says it has noted the announcements by several countries to institute temporary travel restrictions on South Africa and other countries in the region.
This follows the detection of the new Omicron variant.
“While we respect the right of all countries to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect their citizens, we need to remember that this pandemic requires collaboration and sharing of expertise.
“Our immediate concern is the damage that these restrictions are causing to families, the travel and tourism industries and business,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor, in a statement.
South Africa has already started engaging countries that have imposed travel bans with the view to persuade them to reconsider.
In the statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said South Africa aligns itself with the World Health Organisation’s position on the latest travel bans.
The World Health Organisation has pleaded with
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