South Africa does not see the need to implement new restrictions related to the spread of COVID-19, either within its territory or for arrivals.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla remains calm. He stated on Tuesday that "the dominant variant of concern in China and around the world remains Omicron, and the immunity of South Africans is still very strong," adding that South Africa will "seek advice from the World Health Organization, intensify COVID testing and relaunch its vaccination campaign."
The new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5, which is spreading rapidly in the United States, has been detected in South Africa. But scientists in the African country officially hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic say they do not fear a new "major wave".
So far, the country has confirmed only one case of the XBB.1.5 sub-variant and there is no evidence that it is spreading, although the sub-variant is considered highly contagious, according to the South African minister.
South Africa, which detected the first case of Omicron in late 2021, has recorded more than four million cases of coronavirus and more than 102,500 deaths.
