The two political parties join a chorus of calls mounting on the government, to take action as India battles a second wave of the pandemic – which has seen more than 300 000 cases reported in a single day.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has poured caution on calls for a travel ban from India. He explained that the country does not have direct flights from India. "It would be reckless of the government to only implement measures after this variant may hit our shores. A reactionary approach, at this stage, would be criminal – especially since there has not yet been any real clarity on the severity of B.1.617 and whether current vaccines are effective against the strain," said DA MP Angel Khanyile.
The EFF said that while it sympathises with Indian citizens, SA could not afford a third wave to be driven by a new variant.
The saddest thing is government itself is not being proactive and taking the lead on this one. Wht more do they need whn evidence is thr, whn the situation in India calls for this action. Not long ago, other countries imposed this ban on South Africans - why hesitate.
Waiting for it to take hold then have another lockdown so they can loot AGAIN