Ghana imposes travel ban on Israel, South Korea, Malta on omicron

In an effort to reduce the spread of the omicron coronavirus variant, Ghana on Monday announced an immediate ban on travelers from Israel, South Korea, and Malta.

According to three statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, no one has explicitly provided a reason for the travel bans imposed on travelers from Israel and South Korea.

However, a ministry source on condition of anonymity told the Anadolu Agency that it was part of a government effort to curb the newly spreading tension. Unvaccinated people are already banned from entering the country.

Travel bans on Israel and South Korea are expected to last 14 days, while the travel restriction on Malta will remain indefinitely.

People traveling from Israel for humanitarian or official purposes will be allowed entry, although “permission” from the ministry will be required, according to the Anadolu Agency quoting one of the statements.

However, there is no exemption for passengers coming from South Korea, the report noted.

Ghana reported its first case of omicron on December 1, and responded with a massive immunization campaign as foreign data monitoring agencies estimate that only five percent of the U.S. population A country of more than 30 million is fully vaccinated.