The recent discovery of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, detected by South African scientists has been treated as if South Africa and other African nations have bred the virus. According to reports, the new variant was discovered in Europe before in Africa.
Several European countries have closed off from South Africa, countries like Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and several others. However, Dutch health authorities stated that the variant has been traced to cases dating as far back as 11 days ago.
According to the Guardian, this has sparked a conversation online about how these bans are could be fuelled by racism, and how this situation was inevitable due to vaccine inequality across the world.
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In a recent interview with BBC World Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, co-chairperson of the Africa Union’s African Vaccine Delivery Alliance also criticised these countries by saying that, “had the first COCID-19 virus, the one first identified in China last year, originated in Africa it is clear the world would have locked us away and thrown away the key,” she said.
An African lady on 🔥. Had the virus originated in Africa, it is now clear the world, it is now clear the world would have locked us away….no urgency for vaccine development.”
So proud of Dr. Ayoade Alakija’s interview @yodifiji on BBC. This is the second half of the interview! https://t.co/U6v5SrUypN pic.twitter.com/NJlG82VTuy— Tsion Firew, MD, MPH (@DrTsion) December 1, 2021
In the meantime, the South African government indicated that it has noted the announcements by several countries to institute temporary travel restrictions on South Africa and other countries in the region. According to a statement by International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor the SA government respect the right of all countries to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect their citizens.
“While we respect the right of all countries to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect their citizens, we need to remember that this pandemic requires collaboration and sharing of expertise.
“Our immediate concern is the damage that these restrictions are causing to families, the travel and tourism industries and business,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Pandor said.
Also read:
These are the countries that have placed travel restrictions on SA
Picture: Cape{town}etc gallery
