Angola will close borders with seven African countries – South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe – from December 1st, to try to contain the spread of the new variant of the Covid-19 virus.
The measure was announced this Saturday by the Minister of State and Head of Civil Affairs Office to the President of the Republic, Adão de Almeida, who said that entry of citizens from these countries, by any means, is being temporarily suspended from December 1st.
The measure does not cover national citizens who may eventually return, although flights are being suspended from that date, added the minister, indicating that it will be necessary for returning citizens to observe a 14-day home quarantine.
Several countries, including Portugal, have already applied flight restrictions to several African countries after a new variant of the coronavirus was identified in South Africa: Omicrom. It appears to have a high number of mutations in the virus’ spike protein, prompting worries about how easily it will spread..
