Health Minister Joe Phaahla says he’s optimistic that the United Kingdom will soon remove South Africa from its current ‘red list‘. This follows reports that the UK will on Thursday give details on its plan to slash the list of 54 countries to as few as nine and abolish quarantine for almost all countries.
South Africa, Brazil and Mexico are on the list.
Removing them from it would allow travellers to visit the countries without having to self-isolate on their return.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had spoken to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the issue.
Phaahla says he’s waiting for confirmation from the UK authorities.
Being on the list has put South Africa at a disadvantage. The United Kingdom is South Africa’s important trading partner and the biggest source of tourism from the northern hemisphere.
UK COVID-19 red list comes under fire:
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa estimates that the country’s tourism loses about R26 million everyday that it remains on the list.
Government scientists from South Africa and the United Kingdom have met to discuss the latest trends on COVID-19 surveillance and vaccination programmes. This comes after the furore over the UK’s decision to put the country on a travel ban Red List, which didn’t recognise the local inoculation regime.
The bilateral meeting sought to boost confidence in South Africa’s scientific prowess and vaccination initiative.
UK’s review of SA’s red list travel ban: Lord Peter Hain
