EFF calls for travel ban on India due to rapid coronavirus strains

5 May 2021

The EFF calls for a travel ban to be placed on all travel to and from India, due to the deadly Corona Virus B.1.617 strain that is wreaking havoc in the country. Over the past few days, we have seen alarming reports of passengers who came to South Africa from India, who have tested positive for COVID-19.

This is a blatant failure by this government to follow global trends of the virus and act accordingly to protect life, and is consistent with the generally reactive approach by those leading this country, where they want an exhibition of disaster and death before making necessary decisions.

Their lack of a response and necessary policy intervention to ensure the variant that exists in India does not spread in South Africa, is no different from their childish response in March 2020, when they refused to utilise state resources to quarantine the 11 passengers from Italy, and opted to allow them to self-quarantine.

The effects of this were tragic, and coupled with a failure to procure and develop effective vaccines, have left our people in a permanent state of vulnerability.

It is more interesting to note the self-hate of this government, that closed ports of entry for African nations when there was no verifiable evidence of a spread of the virus from neighbouring African states, yet are always hesitant to close ports of entry from Europe and in this instance India.

It is clear evidence that the closure of borders and points of entry are motivated by a hatred for African people, and a prioritising of international relations that are linked to profit rather than the preservation of life.

We call on South African government to practice foresight, by closing access to South Africa to India as they battle this deadly virus and quarantine all those who have entered South Africa from the country in state facilities and under state supervision.

We send our solidarity to India during this difficult time, and urge this government to observe the situation in India where health infrastructure has collapsed and bodies are being cremated in parking lots because mortuaries no longer have capacity.

The spike of infections and deaths in India cannot be separated from the election activities that began in early March 2021, and have been accompanied by campaigns, rallies and engagements in an attempt by political parties to contest local and state elections fairly and freely.

India must serve as a warning to our very own government, that there does not need to be death before life-saving decisions are made.

Issued by Vuyani Pambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 5 May 2021