Omicron: UK removes Nigeria, other African countries from travel red list

The United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday said the 11 African countries on its travel red list will be removed effective from 4am on Wednesday, December 15.

The countries on the list are Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.

The UK introduced the red list in November following the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

But speaking at the UK parliament on Tuesday, Sajid Javid, UK health secretary, said the Omicron variant “has spread so widely across the world,” hence the travel red list is now “less effective”.

More to follow…