Rwanda suspends direct flights to southern Africa over COVID variant

Rwanda on Sunday became the latest country to suspend direct flights to southern Africa in a bid to prevent the entry of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

The Omicron variant, which was first reported by South Africa to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Nov. 24, has now been detected in at least a dozen countries.

“While the variant has not been detected in Rwanda, its effects are potentially dangerous, and therefore Rwandans and residents of Rwanda are required to exercise extra vigilance in the practice and enforcement of preventive measures,” said a statement issued by the Rwandan Prime Minister’s office following Sunday’s Cabinet meeting.

Direct flights between Rwanda and southern Africa are temporarily suspended, it said.