South Africa’s health minister slams the new waves of travel bans accusing some leaders of seeking a 'scapegoat'
A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible Covid-19 variant that has been detected in South Africa.
"We believe that some of the reactions have been unjustified," Health Minister Joe Phaahla told a news conference on Friday, accusing some leaders whom he did not name of seeking a "scapegoat." The European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union, also proposed a complete suspension of flights to and from southern Africa until there was a "clear understanding about the danger" posed by the new variant.However, the UN's World Health Organization on Friday urged against travel curbs at this stage.
"We feel some of the leadership of countries are finding scapegoats to deal with what is a worldwide problem," he said.
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