Egypt Suspends Direct Flights with South Africa over New COVID Variant

Egypt suspended direct flights to South Africa after emergence of new COVID-19 variant "Omicron".

Cabinet spokesman Nader Saad said in statements on Friday that 6 countries are targeted by a list of measures, including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini.

The spokesman added that passengers from these countries who arrive at Cairo International Airport via indirect flights (transit) on their way to other countries will be subject to a rapid test, and if any positive case is detected, they will be prevented from boarding the transit plane, adding that their departure will be on the same flight.

Saad stressed that in the event that the test result is negative, the passenger will be required to quarantine for seven days at home, a PCR will be done at the end of the period, and the case will be followed up for another seven days through the medical team until the end of the incubation period.