The red list placement means people in the UK are banned
from traveling to South Africa. It also means anyone traveling from Britain to
South Africa faces a mandatory 10-day quarantine when returning home, even if
they are fully vaccinated and test negative for coronavirus.
In a recent discussion, the Department of Health and the UK
High Commission put forward the latest trends around Covid-19 as well as the
country's vaccination program.
"We're delighted
that the UK High Commission has engaged with the South Africans and the UK
government has engaged with South African scientists and medical professionals.
That dialogue has been really constructive.
We feel heard and engaged with. We feel that at last there's
a proper understanding of the capabilities in South Africa. We are delighted to
hear that it is likely that South Africa will be removed from the red
list," said Jon Foster-Pedley, the British Chamber of Commerce South
Africa board chair.
Africa's most industrialized economy is desperate to welcome
visitors. The country has administered over 16 million vaccines. A big chunk of
the country's tourists come from the UK. The World Travel and Tourism Council
said the continued placement of South Africa on the red list by London could
spell more disaster for the economy which has already lost millions of jobs.
Others argue that the UK's approach could hurt bilateral
trade and economic relations.
"South Africa believes in diplomacy," said Kganki
Matabane, the CEO of Black Business Council.
"In diplomacy, you do not do a tit for tat. Also, you
need to check the economic size of the countries you're dealing with. The UK is
not smaller than us so before you take any other drastic measures of tit for
tat, you need to consider the economic implications of the decision," he
added
The UK is set to review its border measures in a fortnight.
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