EU replaces Southern Africa travel ban with testing requirements
Visitors will still be subject to health measures applicable to travellers from third countries, such as a pre-departure PCR test
11 January 2022 - 12:11
byLyubov Pronina
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EU member states have agreed to lift the air travel ban on Southern African countries, which will allow more travel to resume. Picture: BLOOMBERG
EU member states have agreed to lift the air-travel ban on Southern African countries, though travellers from the region will still be subject to health measures applicable to travellers from third countries.
The decision lifts the so-called emergency brake introduced in November, France, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a tweet.
European nations suspended most air travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, SA and Zimbabwe as scientists scrambled to assess the severity of the Omicron variant. The bloc maintained the limits even after cases continued to surge around the world, despite an outcry from the region.
The European Commission last month asked member states to consider lifting the flight ban as soon as possible and move to a pre-departure PCR test when entering the EU, according to a spokesperson for the bloc. Some member states have already eased the restrictions.
The EU co-ordinates travel guidelines within and into the bloc, but member nations are responsible for devising and implementing specific travel restrictions.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
EU replaces Southern Africa travel ban with testing requirements
Visitors will still be subject to health measures applicable to travellers from third countries, such as a pre-departure PCR test
EU member states have agreed to lift the air-travel ban on Southern African countries, though travellers from the region will still be subject to health measures applicable to travellers from third countries.
The decision lifts the so-called emergency brake introduced in November, France, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a tweet.
European nations suspended most air travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, SA and Zimbabwe as scientists scrambled to assess the severity of the Omicron variant. The bloc maintained the limits even after cases continued to surge around the world, despite an outcry from the region.
The European Commission last month asked member states to consider lifting the flight ban as soon as possible and move to a pre-departure PCR test when entering the EU, according to a spokesperson for the bloc. Some member states have already eased the restrictions.
The EU co-ordinates travel guidelines within and into the bloc, but member nations are responsible for devising and implementing specific travel restrictions.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
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