Israel, GCC states limit entry over new variant fears

Israel will ban entry of all foreigners into the country starting from tonight, making it the first country in the world to shut its borders to non-nationals in response to a new and potentially highly infectious Covid-19 variant.

The entry ban will begin at midnight local time today and will remain in effect for 14 days, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office said in a statement issued late yesterday. Only foreigners with an exemption granted by the government will be allowed to enter during this period.

The move was prompted by the discovery in southern Africa of a new variant of the Covid-19 virus, dubbed Omicron by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Israel has to date confirmed one case of the new variant, with seven more cases suspected.

The WHO on 26 November described the new variant as "a concern" because of its large number of mutations, and evidence that "suggests an increased risk of re-infection" when compared with other strains of the virus.

Israelis returning home from countries designated as red zones in Africa will be sent directly to a hotel to quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test, the prime minister's office said.

Other countries in the Middle East, and around the world, are tightening border restrictions amid concern over the new Omicron variant.

The UAE and Oman announced over the weekend the suspension of entry for travelers and transit passengers from the seven countries of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique, effective 29 and 28 November respectively, until further notice. This includes the suspension of entry of travelers who were in any of these countries in the 14 days prior to travel to either of Oman or the UAE, but excludes citizens and diplomats of the two countries as well has holders of Omani residence or UAE golden residence permits.

Kuwait yesterday announced the suspension of all direct commercial flights from the above seven countries, as well as Zambia and Malawi effective today until further notice. Kuwaiti citizens coming from these countries will be required to undergo seven days of government-mandated quarantine, while non-Kuwaitis will only be able to enter the country if they show proof of not having been in any of these countries over the past 14 days.

Bahrain has imposed an entry ban as of yesterday for non-nationals and non-residents arriving from a number of 'Red List' countries, which include the same nine countries flagged by Kuwait, as well as Angola. And Qatar expanded its list of countries from which only citizens, residents, citizens of GCC countries and fully vaccinated travelers can enter, to include South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Unvaccinated non-Qataris are barred from entering the country.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, today announced the suspension of all flights to and from Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Mauritius and Comoros until further notice. Saudi citizens arriving from these countries will be subject to five days of government-mandated quarantine, while non-Saudis will have to show proof of having been in countries considered safe by the Saudi authorities for 14 days prior to arrival to be allowed entry.

Outside the region, the UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Russia, as well as several other EU countries and the US have imposed similar restrictions.

With travel restrictions being reinstated in many countries around the globe, this could once again hit the recovery in demand for not only jet fuel, but also oil demand.

Global crude prices tumbled on 26 November in one of the sharpest price drops in the history of futures trading, as a result of this, sparking concerns about demand.

By Sarah Raffoul