Amid growing concerns about a new variant of the coronavirus, the US government, along with Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, is imposing travel restrictions on travel from eight African nations.
The countries include South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho and Eswatini. This comes following the World Health Organization calling the new variant a variant of concern and naming it Omicron.
According to the New York Times, the travel restrictions will not apply to American citizens or lawful permanent residents. “But they will need to show a negative coronavirus test before coming to the United States.”
The Biden administration is reported to have consulted with South African scientists this morning before making the announcement and the government says they will continue to liaise with international health officials to learn more about the new variant and the risk it poses.
Below is an example of the chaos this is causing, not only for future travelers, but present ones too, including flight crew.
WATCH: Passengers on South African flight not allowed to get off in Amsterdam amid concern about new COVID variant; testing and quarantine expected pic.twitter.com/iTnaeYaVim
— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) November 26, 2021
This is a developing story.
Unless, of course, you cross the southern border illegally.