Govt mulls India travel ban amid relentless wave of infections
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is keeping a close watch on the developments in India as the country faces a relentless wave of Covid-19 infections.
A more transmissive and deadlier B.1.617 strain has been discovered in India, which has been attributed to record high deaths and transmissions in the country.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed that three travellers who arrived at King Shaka Airport tested positive for Covid-19.
The travellers came from India on two separate Qatar Airlines flights.
South Africa now faces growing pressure to institute a travel ban against India.
Ramaphosa told members of Parliament on Thursday that the decision would only be guided by science.
"The variant that is being experienced in India is most worry. It's most worrying because it is engulfing the entire country and at the same time, dome of the people in that country travel around the world and are found to have contracted the disease so obviously we are watching
"We're not only watching but we are taking steps to make sure we are prepared.
"We are also looking at how we should respond," said Ramaphosa.
The National Coronavirus Command Council pushed its scheduled meeting on Wednesday to a later date to review the data.
"We said let us meet when we have all the information, and we have all the processes we can embark upon,” Ramaphosa told MPs.
"You'll be pleased to know that we rely on our scientist's knowledge so all that is being looked at closely.”
He added the country has offered aid to India in the form of medical supplies.
"We are also concerned for the Indians and it is for that reason that we've pledged our solidarity with them.
"We will soon be forwarding some assistance to them because they need help."
Listen to Ramaphosa below:
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