South Africa Closes 20 Points Of Entry Due To Covid-19

South Africa has closed 20 points of entry at the country’s land borders as part of increased measures aimed at suppressing the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus. 

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Major General Jackson Miti, has confirmed that Beitbridge and Lebombo are among the border crossings that will remain closed until February 15. 

He has advised Zambians intending to enter or leave South Africa to check whether they are among the categories of travellers exempt from restrictions. These include: fuel, cargo and goods transporters, emergency medical staff and permanent residents. 

Foreign nationals leaving South Africa and those who attend school in the country have also been told they are exempt. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that, based on the recommendations of the National Coronavirus Command Council, the country will remain on alert level three in addition to the new travel restrictions. 

It comes after a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus was discovered in South Africa in December. There is no evidence to suggest that the variant is more deadly but it is spreading quickly through the population, having already been spotted in ten other countries. 

There is some evidence to suggest that the South African variant may be more resistant to vaccination however scientists believe that the vaccines will still be “functionally protective”.