World closing its doors to African countries due to omicron

A number of countries have imposed travel bans on African nations amid fears over the new COVID-19 variant omicron.

Travel restrictions have been imposed on eight southern African countries after the potentially more contagious variant was first detected earlier this month in South Africa and Botswana.

The bans apply to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

The UK immediately added South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe to its red list of countries deemed high risk after omicron was detected.

The European Union announced on Nov. 26 that it will block flights from these countries.