The Mercury E-dition

Why the vaccine bias against South Africa?

I NOTE that the UK is still keeping South Africa on its “red list” (Monday, September 20, 2021).

It is indeed concerning as to why this is so when many other countries have been removed, and when other countries – such as Germany – are happy to accept visitors from South Africa and accept the South African vaccination card.

I am a UK citizen but have residency in South Africa under the retired persons’ scheme. I was last able to visit family in January 2020 and have stayed here – quite happily – during the past 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I have been fully vaccinated here with two of the Pfizer vaccinations. I have the cards as proof and details linked to my medical aid.

The changes introduced last week make it even harder for people from South Africa to visit the UK irrespective of the “red” list status. Anyone with a UK passport could leave South Africa for 10 days via one of the “green” countries such as Germany, and then enter the UK with just a couple of tests.

However, the new rules mean that process can still happen, but anyone vaccinated in South Africa is not recognised by the UK government as having been vaccinated. And if you are not vaccinated from a country the UK recognises you have to do extra tests and go into home quarantine in the UK on arrival there for 10 days.

So if someone fully vaccinated in the UK comes out to visit and then goes back to the UK via Germany for a minimum of 10 days s/he is allowed to enter back into the UK – no problem.

If I accompany him/her as a UK citizen but with the same vaccinations administered in South Africa I am deemed unvaccinated and have to do all the extras tests and home quarantine. It really is total nonsense!

I wish to travel in November to see an elderly family member who is unwell, but turns 90 at that time so I am hoping this anomaly is altered as well as seeing South Africa removed from the “red” list. If Pakistan, Egypt and Kenya are deemed okay, I cannot see why South Africa is penalised.

Obviously I am upset about the arrangements from a personal basis, but feel for all in the hospitality industry here which could see a continuing dearth of visitors from the UK because of the government there having what can only appear to be a bias against South Africa.

DEREK SALTER | Sea Point

OPINION

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2021-09-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://themercury.pressreader.com/article/281754157461191

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