Red list and omicron disrupt travel plans

Six southern African countries have been placed on a red list travel ban after South African epidemiologists detected the new Covid-19 strain called Omicron.

Affected are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.

The North Coast Courier asked readers how their holiday plans were impacted.

Gerda van Brakel: Our daughter, her husband and baby would have flown here from the USA on Thursday for a holiday and Christmas. She is waiting for her green card, so going back she wouldn’t be allowed back into the US although she has a legal travel document. Only if you have a US passport. Haven’t seen her for 2 years. Baby would have had his first birthday here. Our hearts are broken!

Volker Grunewald: I booked to fly to London with my son to see my other 2 children whom I have not seen in 2 years.

Terry Antrobus-Claassens: My daughter is in Victoria BC, Canada, her twin brother in Scotland and my eldest son and 2 grandkids in Brunei. We had plans to be in Durban for Christmas as the kids have not seen their grandparents for 2 years. They are over 80 years old and their paternal granny has cancer, so this really sucks. It is very, very unfair. They should have locked China down when this virus first appeared.

Nadine van Strijp Studd: My husband has not seen his small boys in SA since the beginning of the lockdowns. We live in the UK and were going to fly out to Durban on December 20 so he could see his boys for only 2 weeks – but 2 weeks is everything to him. Last year the same thing happened. It’s not fair what they are doing. I missed my grandfather’s funeral and my daughter’s birthday, now I can’t even see her or visit my oupa’s grave. This so-called variant is nothing but a control tactic.

Paul Young: We were planning to fly to South Africa in January for 3 weeks to see friends and family. We are still hoping against all hope that this will be possible.

Katie Griffiths: We were meant to leave on December 8 to see my mum for Christmas. Haven’t seen her for 2 years. She hasn’t seen my 2-year and 4-year-olds for all that time. So upset and frustrated.

Jenny En Ian Gumbley: My husband is in the UK waiting for us to arrive, and now we are stranded here. I have a job to go to, just can’t get out of the country.

Wesley Peterson: Yes, shattered. Normally come home to SA from the UK once a year to visit family and friends. Had trips cancelled now twice.

Charles Coelho: We were meant to fly to Lisbon on December 17 for Christmas and New Year, and spend time with family that I have not seen in 20 years.

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