UK travel updates – live: South Africa added to red list amid fears over Covid new variant
South Africa is among six African nations suddenly added to the UK’s red list for international travel in response to a “significant” new variant of coronavirus.
In a shock update last night, the government announced that South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe would be put back on the high-risk list from 12pm today.
A temporary flight ban has been imposed over the weekend while hotel quarantine facilities are prepared.
From 4am on Sunday 28 November, British and Irish citizens or residents arriving from those countries will have to pay to enter hotel quarantine for 10 days; all other travellers are banned from entering the UK from midday today.
British nationals arriving from the six countries between midday Friday and 4am Sunday, or who have been in these countries within the last 10 days, must quarantine at home for 10 days and take NHS PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8, even if they already have a lateral flow test booking.
It is yet another in a long line of devastating blows for the travel industry.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We all accept the government must make decisions in the interest of public health.
“However, some 20 months into the crisis, and six weeks after taking South Africa and its neighbours off the red list, it just feels like deja vu.
“The communication process is a shambles – relying on a tweet from the health secretary is no way to update the public.”
Follow all the latest updates below:
Read More
Red list update: Six countries added as experts say new Covid variant is ‘worst we’ve seen so far’
Red list: What the ban on six Southern African countries means for travellers
New Covid variant: Everything we know
Key points
Six countries added to red list from midday
Coronavirus variant ‘worst one we’ve seen so far'
Temporary flight ban in place from South Africa
South Africa ‘disappointed’ by move to red list, says tourism minister
16:29 , Helen Coffey
Following the news that the UK government has placed South Africa back on the red list, South Africa’s tourism minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, said:
While this is most disappointing South Africa will continue working with policy makers in the UK, Japan, Israel and European Union to ensure that the best possible interventions are put in place. I would like to commend the South African scientists on their diligence and all the work they have done and remain confident that all measures will be put in place to mitigate the spread of the virus.
We remain open for business and tourism travel and we appreciate the continued support from various partners across the world and are confident that through the tourism recovery plan in place, we will reignite demand and once more be tourism strong.
Brussels recommends suspending all flights between EU and countries with new Covid variant
15:26 , Helen Coffey
The European Union should suspend “all flights” with countries which have declared they have the new Covid variant, European Council president Ursula von der Leyen has said.
Her comments came as alarm grew over the spread of the new variant.
She added that news of the latest Covid variant was “very concerning”.
EU recommends suspending flights to countries with new Covid variant
Passengers stuck on plane in Amsterdam after travel bans imposed mid-flight
15:07 , Helen Coffey
Passengers on a flight that originated in Johannesburg, South Africa, are currently being held on the tarmac at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam after new travel restrictions were imposed while the service was mid-flight.
New York Times reporter Stephanie Nolen tweeted: “So I’m in my 3d hour on a tarmac at Schipol [sic].
“While my flight from Jo’burg was somewhere over Chad, Europe went into variant panic; by the time we landed, we weren’t allowed off the plane.
“They won’t even let a catering truck bring us water.”
So I'm in my 3d hour on a tarmac at Schipol. While my flight from Jo'burg was somewhere over Chad, Europe went into variant panic; by the time we landed, we weren't allowed off the plane.
They won't even let a catering truck bring us water.— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 26, 2021
Travel insurance still valid for red list countries
14:44 , Helen Coffey
Specialist travel insurer battleface has confirmed its policies are still valid for the six southern African countries moved unexpectedly back onto the UK’s travel red list as of today.
Katie Crowe, director of communications, said: “There will still be travellers, who for family or other reasons still need to travel to the Southern African region. Battleface travel insurance still provides valid travel insurance to protect them.
“Our products protect travellers regardless of traffic light colour and FCDO advisories and are available and accessible for all. In addition, travellers currently in the region can purchase a policy on the move.”
As well as adding six countries to the UK’s red list, the UK government has announced that flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini will be banned until noon on Sunday so that there is time to reinstate the hotel quarantine system.
The Foreign Office has also advised against all but essential travel to these countries based on concerns around a new Covid-19 variant.
Latest red list flight data
14:18 , Helen Coffey
Between 15 November and 31 December, only one of the six countries now on the UK’s red list had direct flights to the UK, according to the latest flight data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. This was South Africa, which had flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town from the UK.
From 15-28 November:
There were a total of 28 flights scheduled UK to/from Cape Town and 7,652 seats (flights operated by British Airways).
There were a total of 54 flights scheduled UK to/from Johannesburg and 14,472 seats (this includes both ways and operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic).
In total there were 82 flights and 22,124 seats (both directions combined).
For December 2021:
There are a total of 120 flights scheduled UK to/from Cape Town and 32,637 seats (flights operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic).
There are a total of 169 flights scheduled UK to/from Johannesburg and 46,662 seats (flights operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic).
In total there are 289 flights and 79,299 seats (both directions combined).
Israel on ‘verge of state of emergency’ over new coronavirus variant
13:54 , Chiara Giordano
Israel is on the “verge of a state of emergency”, the country’s prime minister warned after a worrying new coronavirus variant was detected in at least three people.
The Middle Eastern country on Friday imposed a travel ban covering most of Africa after detecting its first case of the Nu variant, also known as B1.1.529, in a traveller who had returned from Malawi.
Scientists are concerned about the new variant, which could be more contagious than the Delta strain.
The health ministry said the traveller and two other suspected cases, all of whom had been vaccinated, had been placed in isolation.
Read the full story:
Israel on ‘verge of state of emergency’ over new coronavirus variant
What are the rules around travelling to Portugal?
13:35 , Helen Coffey
Portugal has tightened up some of its rules for travellers following a rise in coronavirus cases.
“It doesn’t matter how successful the vaccination was, we must be aware we are entering a phase of greater risk,” Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on 25 November.
“We have seen significant growth (in cases) in the EU and Portugal is not an island.”
But what are the entry restrictions for tourists, and what public health measures are in place once in the country?
Read our full explainer on the new rules:
What are the rules around travelling to Portugal?
What are your rights if you’ve booked a Christmas holiday in southern Africa?
13:25 , Simon Calder
At present airlines and holiday companies are trying to assess the situation and decide how to respond. In the absence of further information, the assumption will be that December trips to the six countries will go ahead as planned.
If your departure is cancelled – as some are likely to be – you are entitled to a full cash refund.
But if you have booked separate elements of the trip (for example car rental, accommodation or a safari) then the supplier is not obliged to offer you your money back. They can take the view: the product you booked is available, and the fact that you can’t get here isn’t our problem.
Countries tighten travel restrictions amid virus variant concerns
12:25 , Helen Coffey
The UK isn’t the only country to impose strict travel restrictions on southern African nations over concerns about a new coronavirus variant.
Italy is banning entry to people who have visited the six African countries - South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe - in the last 14 days, while Israel is banning citizens from travelling to southern Africa.
European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU is looking at freezing air travel from the “high risk” nations.
Singapore is restricting arrivals, while Japan has tightened its entry requirements for visitors.
India has issued an advisory to test and screen all arrivals from South Africa and other countries of concern; Germany will declare South Africa a “virus variant area”.
Portugal to demand negative Covid test from all travellers
11:55 , Helen Coffey
Portugal is tightening its restrictions for travellers, announcing that even vaccinated arrivals will need to present a negative Covid test to enter the country.
From 1 December, airlines will be fined €20,000 (£16,927) if they transport any passenger who doesn’t have proof of a negative Covid-19 test result, including those who are double jabbed.
PCR and rapid antigen tests are both admissible; the former must be taken within the 72 hours prior to departure, the latter within 48 hours.
Fully vaccinated tourists must also present proof of a negative coronavirus test to enter indoor facilities including nightclubs and bars, and to attend large events.
The EU digital certificate will be required in order for visitors to stay in hotels, go to the gym or eat indoors at the country’s restaurants.
‘We are devastated’: Heartbroken Brits mourn South Africa travel ban
11:03 , Helen Coffey
Heartbroken travellers are still in shock after learning that South Africa, along with six other African countries, will put back on the UK’s red list from 12pm on 26 November.
The news, announced late on 25 November, was a devastating blow to the many people with trips booked in the coming weeks.
Aside from the uncertainty of claiming a refund for expensive flights and hotel stays, many thwarted travellers’ plans involved spending time with family in South Africa after months, and even years, apart.
Read the full story:
‘We are devastated’: Heartbroken Brits mourn South Africa travel ban
Arrivals from six countries told to quarantine at home
10:49 , Helen Coffey
The transport secretary has said that those who are already in the UK, but who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe in the past 10 days, need to quarantine at home.
Grant Shapps tweeted: “If you’ve been to any of these countries in the last 10 days, quarantine at home as of now and Test & Trace will be in touch. From 12pm tomorrow, the red list and a direct flight ban from these countries will be in effect, you must quarantine at home.”
He added: “If you have visited any of these countries in the last 10 days and arrive after 4am Sunday, you MUST book a quarantine hotel at an approved facility.
“Public safety is our priority. We’re taking this precautionary action to protect the progress we’ve made beating the virus across the country and as ever, we’ll continue to keep our measures under review.”
UPDATE: from 12pm tomorrow 6 countries incl South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini & Namibia added to UK’s red list following early detection of the new B.1.1.529 variant abroad.
We’re taking precautionary action now & will place a temp flight ban over the weekend.— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) November 25, 2021
What does the red list update mean for travellers?
10:13 , Simon Calder
In a repeat of the events of last winter, the UK government has responded to an alert about a new variant of concern by putting a flight ban on South Africa – and adding the country, and five neighbours, to the “red list”.
British and Irish citizens or residents arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe after 4am on Sunday 28 November will be required to book and pay for a UK government-approved hotel quarantine facility for 10 days.
Anyone else who has been in those six countries in the past 10 days will be denied entry to the UK.
Click below for the key questions and answers for travellers:
Red list: What the ban on six Southern African countries means for travellers
Covid data expert Tim White to answer your questions live
09:51 , Helen Coffey
Tansport Secretary Grant Shapps said today there are concerns that the new coronavirus variant could “defeat the vaccine” - and the travel red list has been reinstated as a result.
Mr Shapps said there is apprehension about the “very fast” spread of the new variant, commending ministers’ quick decision to add six countries to the high-risk list.
But what does this mean for infection rates around the world and what is likely to happen to travel restrictions over coming weeks?
Tim White, the Covid data analyst who tweets as @TWMCLtd, has trawled through the genomic sequencing records held by Gisaid, the worldwide database, with a focus on variants of concern.
He will be on hand to answer all your latest travel questions around the latest announcement and what might happen to the traffic light system in coming weeks during a live ‘ask me anything’ event being held today (26 November) from 5pm.
Click below to submit your question:
Ask data expert anything about the new Covid variant and the red list
Travel industry fury at southern Africa ban
09:43 , Helen Coffey
Travel industry figures have responded angrily to the reinstatement of the “red list” for South Africa and five neighbouring countries.
South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, described the flight ban as “rushed”.
She said: “Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to both the tourism industries and businesses of both countries.”
Paul Goldstein, a travel guide and photographer specialising in Africa, said: “Yet again the ephemeral spectre of variants is wrongfully destroying tourism in southern Africa.
“Already headlines are painting with the broadest of regional brushes – so it is not just the six nations that will be affected but the whole continent.”
Read the full story:
Travel industry fury at southern Africa ban
09:33 , Helen Coffey
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s travel liveblog. We’ll be covering all the latest red list travel updates throughout the day.
