EU Commission Urges Travel Ban From Southern Africa Due to New COVID Variant

The European Commission (EC) on November 26 proposed that member states suspend travel from southern Africa due to concerns over a new Covid-19 variant.

In a press statement, EC President Ursula von der Leyen said, “The European Commission has today proposed to Member States to activate the ‘emergency brake’ on travel from countries in southern Africa and other countries affected to limit the spread of the new variant. All air travel to these countries should be suspended. They should be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant.”

Von der Leyen said the EC’s stance was supported by scientists and vaccine manufacturers she had spoken to that day. Credit: Ursula von der Leyen via Storyful