THE United Kingdom will be removing all 11 countries from the travel ‘red list’ from Wednesday.
Britain banned travel from six Southern African countries after South Africa discovered the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
South Africa, along with Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe are on the list.
The decision will take effect from Wednesday at 4am.
“As always, we keep all our travel measures under review and we may impose new restrictions should there be a need to do so to protect public health,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted.
Health Minister Sajid Javid also announced the measure to MPs in parliament as Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks their backing for his new restrictions to curb the spread of Omicron.
Javid said the travel ban was being lifted because it is “now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad”.
Currently, all UK arrivals from red list countries must pay for and self-isolate in a pre-booked, government-approved hotel for 10 days.
They must also take Covid tests within 48 hours of setting off for the UK and PCR tests within two days of their arrival.
Some arrivals have already paid thousands of pounds to stay in government-approved quarantine hotels, and there have been complaints of chaotic organisation and inedible food during their stays.
Javid said he had asked for urgent advice on whether those currently in managed quarantine would be able to leave early.
He also said he was “very persuaded” by calls to reimburse people and hoped to make an announcement soon.
– Additional reporting AFP
