South Africa and five other southern African countries have been placed on the UK’s red list meaning a return of hotel quarantine for arrivals, while authorities in Africa have argued the restrictions have been imposed too quickly.
Elsewhere, there is coverage of a major new tourist attraction in Egypt, and of the landing of a widebody jet aircraft on a glacier, which will bring a small number of tourists to Antarctica along with supplies to scientists.
Here are the key headlines affecting travel on Friday 26 November in our last press round up of the week.
New variant is ‘most significant yet’
The new coronavirus variant is the most significant scientists have discovered so far, Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK’s Health Security Agency has warned. Scientists fear the variant - known as B.1.1.529 - could be more transmissible and better able to evade vaccines. The UK is introducing travel restrictions for South Africa and five neighbouring countries to halt the spread. (BBC News)
Flight restrictions imposed
Flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe will be suspended from 12pm today until 4am on Sunday in response to the new Covid-19 strain. From Sunday, new UK arrivals from these countries will be required to quarantine in hotels. (Sky News)
British travel ban ‘rushed’, says South Africa
South Africa’s foreign minister has responded to Britain’s move of adding it to its travel “red list” after a new Covid variant was reported. Naledi Pandor said she would ask British authorities to reconsider the decision. “Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to both the tourism industries and businesses of both countries,” she said. (The Independent)
Red list returns after less than a month
Red list travel restrictions have been reintroduced after they were scrapped only four weeks ago. Anyone returning from the newly red-listed nations must spend 10 days in hotel quarantine, with a £10,000 penalty for those flouting the rules. Those recently arrived from South Africa will be offered a free test to detect any imported cases of the new variant. (The Telegraph)
Egypt reopens ancient Luxor walkway
Egypt has recreated a sacred road used as a procession route 3,000 years ago. The reconstructed Avenue of Sphinxes features more than 1,050 statues of sphinxes and rams. The ancient walkway, also known as the Way of the Rams and the Path of the Gods, connects the Karnak and Luxor temples in what was the city of Thebes, Egypt’s capital in antiquity. (The Daily Mail)
Widebody jet lands on Antarctica ice strip
Portugal’s Hi Fly has flown an Airbus A340 from Cape Town to Antarctica, landing the widebody jet on an ice strip after a five-hour flight. The aircraft will be used to fly a small number of tourists alongside scientists and cargo to Antarctica. (The i)
