COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2021-03/210309-Travel-Restrictions.pdf
In the second half of 2020 new variants were reported to the WHO as unusual public health events by the United Kingdom, referred to as SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) VOC 202012/01 (or 20I/501Y.V1); the Republic of South Africa, referred to as VOC202012/02 (or 20H/501Y.V2); and from Brazil, referred to as P1 (or 20J/501Y.V3).
By 31 January 2021, 75 destinations had reported and verified cases of VOC 202012/01, 34 destinations of VOC202012/02 and 10 destinations of P1.
The E484K mutation variant is present on Variant of Concern first detected in South Africa (VOC-202012/02), as well as a number of other variants sequenced globally. Although there is currently no evidence this mutation alone causes more severe illness or greater transmissibility, it is reported to result in weaker neutralisation by antibodies in laboratory experiments.
The new Variant of Concern VOC202102/02 has been designated a variant of concern as it has arisen as a result of a mutation on the Variant of Concern VOC202012/01, and retains the characteristics that led to its parent variant being designated a VOC originally with an additional mutation E484K.
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND – 10 February 2021
Dr Susan Hopkins, COVID-19 Strategic Response Director at PHE, said:
”It remains absolutely vital that people continue to stay at home where possible, and follow the guidance on face coverings, social distancing and hand hygiene.”
ONLINE REQUEST – 1 February 2021
“Please advise how we can apply for a straight forward two year family visa urgently as I certainly do not want to entertain traveling back to South Africa during a pandemic and lockdown.”
KENNEDYS LAW – 27 September 2023
“It seems clear from the initial emails Mrs Xxx exchanged with our Client, that your Client never intended to return to South Africa and therefore, it appears that the visit visa application was submitted to circumvent the immigration rules and to facilitate a swift entry to the UK. It is likely that this was taken into consideration by the Home Office when your Client submitted further applications and it may have negatively impacted the same.”