Australia- Despite the emergence of the new Covid Variant, the Health Minister says there was ‘no basis for change’ to border arrangement. Australia has no plans to restrict flights from South Africa at this point. Though, the UK has shut down its borders to Africa fearing the spread of new variants.
World Health Organization Meeting
As the world health organization had an urgent meeting to discuss the new variant detected in South Africa. Greg Hunt, Australian Health minister says that officials are assessing the threat posed by the strain. Meanwhile, no restrictions are introduced on arrivals from South Africa.
Hunt said, ‘’ Australia would ‘’ be able to act quickly if there’s advice.’’ Also, the Country’s Chief medical officer, Paul Kelly advises on‘’ no basis for change’’ in border arrangements.
Previously, the United Kingdom announced to ban flights from Southern parts of Africa amid concerns. Meanwhile, Hunt says international health authorities are gathering information about the new variant. He added, ‘’ the world is learning and looking at the strain. At this stage, they are gathering information but we’re flexible and if the medical advice is we need to change then we won’t hesitate.’’
Furthermore, those who arrives from South Africa last week were in quarantine at Howard Springs in the Northern Territory. Hunt is not aware of any cases of new strain detected anywhere in Australia.
New Strain Mutation
On Friday, WHO’s the technical lead on Covid-19, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said, ‘’what we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is that when you have so many mutations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves.’’
Though, the emergence of a new strain is by no means a first. South Africa has Variant C.1.2 earlier this year. However, it is not proven to be as dangerous and infectious as the Delta Strain.
Meanwhile, South Africa is focusing on the vaccination of maximum people. Hunt said on Friday, ‘’ South Africa is doing everything it can to encourage vaccination within its population and to continue to expand its distribution network, but there are different challenges in different countries.’’
Though, the low rates of vaccination across the globe remain a substantial problem. According to different sources, South Africa’s vaccination is only about 24%, while in neighboring Botswana, where the new strain has been detected, only one in five people have been vaccinated.