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UN Secretary-General, António Guterres has expressed deep concern over restrictions imposed on travellers from Southern African countries due to the emergence of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, Omicron.
Guterres, in a statement on Monday said people of Africa should not be blamed for the low level of vaccinations available in the continent.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe said they should not be penalised for identifying and sharing crucial science and health information with the world on Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Omicron as a “variant of concern” as a result of which countries around the world are now restricting travel from Southern Africa, where the new strain was first detected, and taking other new precautions.
WHO said it could take several weeks to know if there are significant changes in transmissibility, severity or implications for COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments.
On Friday, Canada banned travel from seven African countries over concerns about spread of the Omicron strain, and Nigeria was not one of them.
The secretary-general commended the Government, scientists and health community of South Africa for acting early to identify the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant.
Guterres said he and others had long warned that low vaccine rates was a breeding ground for variants.
He appealed to all governments to consider repeated testing for travellers together with other appropriate and effective measures.
This he said, should be with the objective of avoiding the risk of transmission so as to allow for travel and economic engagement.
