The head of the Ministry of Health of South Africa Paakhla called the global reaction to the omicron strain unjustified 
for a new strain of coronavirus “omicron”. So he commented on the decision of the EU and a number of other countries of the world to close the entrance to travelers from five African countries. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
Paakhla said that such a measure is contrary to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). He stressed that scientists have not yet found signs of increased virulence of the new strain. In addition, the minister stressed, experts do not believe that this option complicates the course of the disease.
The head of the Ministry of Health assured that the existing vaccines against coronavirus have proven their effectiveness and remain the “main protection” against COVID-19.
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Earlier, the US authorities said that from Monday, November 29, they will ban the entry of residents of eight African countries in connection with the spread of a new strain of COVID-19 B.1.1.529, dubbed omicron. Before that, restrictions on air traffic with South Africa and neighboring countries were introduced by the European Union, Great Britain, Singapore, Japan and Turkey. The first reports of infection with the new B.1.1.529 strain appeared in South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong on November 24.