Covid-19: US to impose travel restrictions on eight southern African countries

The US is to impose travel restrictions on eight southern African countries in response to the new Covid-19 variant, said a government official cited by Reuters. The new travel restrictions will bar most foreign nationals from the US who have been in those countries within the last 14 days, the official said and will take effect on Monday.

The travel restrictions will be for South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi, the official said, adding that the new travel restrictions are being put in place out of an abundance of caution. The restrictions do not apply to US citizens and lawful permanent residents, the official said, adding that the US may add additional countries to travel restriction list if variant spreads.