South Africa’s Health Minister, Joe Phaahla, has announced that no new COVID-related travel restrictions or other restrictions within the border will be imposed after the first case of the XBB.1.5 sub-variant was detected in the country last month.

According to Phaahla, the new sub-variant presents with less severe illness, while South Africa’s vaccination rate is considered to have put the country in a strong position to fight the virus. 

Following consultations with several organisations, including the Ministerial Advisory Committee and the World Health Organization, it has been decided there is no need to enforce any new restrictions at this point.

“Vaccination remains the bedrock to protect against any variant or sub-variant of COVID-19, and not travel restrictions or any new restrictions at this stage,” says Phaahla.

Although no new restrictions will be imposed, precautionary measures will be enforced by the Health Ministry, reports SAnews.gov.za. These include encouraging increased testing and reviving the vaccination campaign. 

Those who present symptoms are advised to report to a healthcare facility, while healthcare practitioners should perform PCR or rapid antigen tests on these individuals.

The advisory committee will also make adjustments to the qualification criteria for those who can receive a booster dose of the vaccination, including making all adults over the age of 18 years eligible for the booster, and not just people who are over 50.