World scrambles to ban travel to and from Southern Africa

As the newly detected B.1.1.529 COVID variant wreaks havoc in South Africa, the World is scrambling to ban flights to and from the country, and its neighbors.

If a contagious COVID-19 variant wasn’t enough, South Africans are now facing travel bans and a looming lockdown ahead Christmas.

COVID may once again spoil the holiday season as its newly discovered variant has about 50 mutations.

The mutations in the spike protein are a cause for concern for scientists as the COVID vaccines were based on tackling the spike proteins of the original virus from Wuhan, China.

As the WHO holds an emergency meeting, the B.1.1.529 variant which is considered to be the “most dangerous” is spreading fast. According to some biologists, it will “absolutely” lower the efficacy of vaccines.

In a bid to thwart the threat, countries are quickly banning travelers from African countries.

The United Kingdom, Israel and France have banned travel to and from Southern Africa. Singapore has put South Africa and its neighboring countries to its “red list,” and is monitoring the situation.

The European Union’s chief Ursula von der Leyen is also preparing to urge member states to put the “emergency brake” on travelers from South Africa and its neighbors.

The B.1.1.529 isn’t only making World leaders and health officials panic, but also the global economy. Stock markets are facing severe drops throughout the World.

The airline industry is once again being tested as stocks are once again crumbling. Investors are anticipating lockdowns and quickly selling their stocks, making the situation worse for the market.

B.1.1.529 is no longer limited to Africa

B.1.1.529 isn’t limited to Africa anymore as it has been reported in Israel, Belgium, and is suspected to be secretly spreading in most countries.

South Africa’s health chief is criticizing travel bans placed on his country. He says it’s already too late, and the bans won’t stop the variant from entering.

The US, Canada and majority of other countries are yet to announce any travel bans for African countries. Many tourists are now stuck in South African airports, making the situation worse as they’ll be soon out of money to rent out living spaces.

Some countries are giving deadlines to their citizens, to return before the deadline ends, or stay where they are until further notice.

Travelers will be met with long queues and delays, as the demand will choke the supply, or in other words the number of flights.

All those coming back from Southern Africa before the deadline will be required to take a PCR test and quarantine. This precedent is expected to be followed by the entire World in a matter of hours.