Cape Town – The South African government says it is working with other stakeholders to intensify efforts to have the country removed from the United Kingdom’s red list of countries facing stringent restrictions.
According to EWN, in August, the UK government received a petition with thousands of signatures calling for the travel ban to be lifted.
On Friday it refused to remove South Africa from the list, saying it couldn’t risk that country’s efforts against Covid-19.
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It, however, removed several countries from the list, including Bangladesh, Kenya, and the Maldives.
Under the travel rules, travellers from the red-listed countries are required to undergo rigorous Covid testing and have to quarantine for 10 days at a designated hotel at their own cost.
The Government of South Africa is puzzled at the United Kingdom (UK)’s decision to keep South Africa on the red list of countries facing stringent restrictions and high costs when entering the UK.
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) September 19, 2021
A 10-day package costs £2 285 for one adult (R46 000), according to BusinessTech.
The new rules also don’t recognise South Africa’s vaccination programme.
In a Twitter thread, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said that thousands of families and business people in South Africa and the UK are shocked at the exclusion.
Thousands of families & business people in SA & the UK are shocked at this continued exclusion, especially given SA’s progress in combating the Covid-19 pandemic as evidenced by the rapid decline in infection rates due to the robust vaccination programme & excellent science.
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) September 19, 2021
Minister Pandor said DIRCO, working with other stakeholders will intensify efforts to have SA removed from the list and is optimistic that the UK Government will finally realise that their decision is not harming just the tourism industry but other businesses from both countries.
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) September 19, 2021
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
