Singapore (CU)_ Following the discovery of a new Covid-19 strain with a significant number of mutations in South Africa, health officials in Singapore and Malaysia announced restrictions on arrivals from seven African nations. All non-citizens and those without permanent residence who have visited the seven nations in the recent past will not be permitted to enter Singapore or Malaysia. South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe will be subject to the restrictions in both Singapore and neighboring Malaysia.
According to the health officials of both nations, citizens and permanent residents of Singapore and Malaysia would be permitted to return, but will be subject to quarantine. Malaysian nationals are also prohibited from travelling to the seven impacted countries. In both nations, the limitations will take effect over the weekend.
Although neither nation has discovered the new strain, Singapore’s health ministry said that it was taking necessary efforts to minimize the possibility of it spreading in the country. The limitations are unlikely to have a significant effect, given that Malaysia’s borders remain mostly closed to international travelers and Singapore’s are only slowly reopening.
As a result of numerous European nations banning most travel from South Africa, the limitations were enacted. While Malaysia was severely afflicted by the Delta strain in the beginning of the year, Singapore has seen a moderate Covid-19 outbreak. South African scientists reported the identification of the strain, designated as B.1.1.529, and blamed it for an increase in infections.