European Commission calls for ‘emergency brake’ on southern Africa travel

The commission’s move comes after the UK put six southern African nations, including South Africa, on the red list because of fears about the new B.1.1.529 variant of the coronavirus, which has been identified in South Africa.

EC president Ursula von der Leyen said: “The commission will propose, in close co-ordination with member states, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the variant of concern.”

Von der Leyen said this move would help “limit the spread” of the new variant, with returning travellers from southern Africa having to “respect strict quarantine rules”.

She also urged people who have yet to be vaccinated to get the jab “as soon as possible” across the EU.