BY BANKERS REPORTER
Rwanda’s national carrier has suspended all flights to South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in order to contain the spread of a new coronavirus variant.
The statement from the Airline noted that effected customers may rebook their flight and “fly at no additional cost or request for a refund.”
“In view of the global concerns on Covid variants prevalent throughout southern Africa, RwandAir announces the suspension of its flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lusaka and Harare, effective February 8, 2021,” it said.
On January 29, 2020, the United Kingdom added Rwanda, Burundi, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its coronavirus travel ban list fearing that its continued operation in risky countries could lead to the spread of the coronavirus variant.
Us President Joe Biden said his administration will introduce limitations on travel to the US from South Africa and maintain restriction on people traveling from the UK, Ireland and most Eurrope.
South Africa has put its rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on hold after a study showed disappointing results against its new Covid variant, according to the BBC.
Scientists say the variant accounts for 90% of new Covid cases in South Africa.
The trial, involving some 2,000 people, found that the vaccine offered “minimal protection” against mild and moderate cases.