Africa Business Radio

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called on countries to immediately and urgently reverse scientifically unjustified travel bans linked to the discovery of the new coronavirus variant Omicron. Dozens of nations have blacklisted South Africa and its neighbours since South African scientists flagged Omicron on November 25. The World Health Organization has labelled Omicron a variant of concern, while scientists are still assessing its virulence. Ramaphosa says the prohibition of travel is not informed by science and accused Western countries of Afrophobia for shutting their borders.