UK likely to remove SA from Red List after review this week

Posted by Anita Froneman on 4 October 2021

South Africa might finally be removed from the United Kingdom’s Red List as the UK government will review its travel restrictions this week, and said it would consider the data provided by South African government scientists.

Currently, 54 countries on the Red List must quarantine at a cost of £2,285 (around R46,227) per adult for travellers’ own accounts.

‘We have worked hard to engage with all key decision-makers both in the UK and in South Africa, including writing to the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, on the decision to keep South Africa on the UK ‘red list’ which seems manifestly unfair, requesting that the decision be reviewed and South Africa removed from the UK “red list”,’ the Western Cape government said in a statement. 

After previous discussions between authorities, the UK said it was looking at extending recognition of vaccine certificates ‘as rapidly as possible’. South Africans have been furious about its continued inclusion on the red list, and the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) was lobbying for South Africa’s removal from the UK’s red list.

‘And so, removing South Africa from the UK “red list” and easing travel restrictions for those travelling between the two countries ahead of our summer season, will provide much-needed relief for the tourism and hospitality sector which has been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic,’ the Western Cape government added. 

Picture: Getaway gallery

 






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