Travel Bans Over Omicron Variant ‘Unjustified' South Africa’s Health Minister Says

A health worker walks past a taxi after the announcement of a British ban on flights from South Africa, in Soweto, South Africa on Nov. 26, 2021. Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

Travel bans and restrictions imposed on South Africa and other African countries over a new CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variant aren’t justified, South Africa’s health minister said Friday.

The new strain, dubbed Omicron by the World Health Organization, was first detected in Botswana and South Africa earlier this month.