photo source, Reuters
South Africa’s corona vaccination rate is low at about 24% of the total population
South Africa, the first country to discover a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) mutation, claims it is being harmed.
South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on the 27th (local time) as many countries in Europe and around the world currently restrict the entry of travelers from South Africa and neighboring countries.
Omicron mutant viruses are known to have a higher risk of reinfection than other mutants.
Earlier on the 26th, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the newly discovered mutation ‘omicron’ and classified it as ‘mutant of concern’.
A number of omicron mutations have already been reported in Europe. In the UK, two people have been confirmed to have been infected with the Omicron mutation, and Germany, Belgium and Italy have each confirmed one case of infection.
Israel, where the Omicron mutation was confirmed, also decided to ban all foreigners from entering the country from the 28th to prevent the spread.
The local media ‘Times of Israel’ reported that the entry ban will last 14 days.
Omicron mutations have also been confirmed in Botswana and Hong Kong, and the Netherlands said that 61 out of about 600 passengers on two South African flights arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol tested positive for COVID-19.
The confirmed cases are currently being quarantined at a nearby hotel and are undergoing further tests, Dutch health authorities said.
The Korean government also announced emergency measures such as restricting the entry of all foreigners from eight African countries, including South Africa, and temporarily quarantining Koreans from those countries.
Meanwhile, the South African government first reported to the WHO on the 24th of a new mutation ‘Omicron’.
‘Great scientific achievement’
The South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly criticized the entry restrictions in a statement on the 27th.
“Great scientific achievements should be praised, not punished.”
He also criticized the entry restrictions, saying, “This is like punishing South Africa’s advanced sequencing technology and ability to quickly discover new mutations.”
He also pointed out the different reactions to the mutant virus and the discovery of the mutant virus earlier.
Ayade Alakiza, head of vaccine supply for the African Union (AU), has also asked the BBC to blame developed countries.
“What is happening now is unavoidable,” he said. “It is the result of a failure to provide a vaccine fairly, urgently and promptly,” he said.
On the 26th and 27th, countries around the world restricted entry and issuance of visas for overseas travelers to block the Omicron virus.
- The UK has banned the entry of nationals from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho and Eswatini.
- The United States also bans entry from travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi from the 29th.
- Australia is restricting entry for 14 days to travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique. Those who have visited these countries are also restricted from entering the country unless they are Australian citizens.
- As of the 27th, if you visit South Africa or neighboring countries, Japan will quarantine you in a temporary facility for 10 days after entering the country, and undergo four corona tests during this period.
- Canada also imposes a 14-day ban on entry for all international travelers who have visited these countries.
- South Korea also designated eight countries at risk: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
After holding an emergency meeting on the 26th, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the Omicron mutant virus as a ‘mutant of concern’.
The WHO has classified the mutations to be wary of in consideration of transmission power, symptoms, and vaccine effectiveness into ‘variant of concern’ and ‘variant of interest’. Prior to Omicron, the WHO designated four variants of concern: alpha, beta, gamma and delta.
The WHO warns that this mutation has a particularly high number of mutations and has a higher risk of reinfection compared to other mutations of concern.
