Zambia off UK COVID-19 red list from Oct. 11

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) – Zambia will be taken off the UK’s red COVID-19 travel list on Oct. 11, officials confirmed on Thursday evening.

Nicholas Woolley, the British high commissioner in the country, said the decision will pave “the way for UK business leaders and tourists to return to Zambia.”

“I know how difficult the last 10 months were for so many who rely on Zambia-UK links. Grateful to Zambian government for close collaboration that made today’s decision possible,” he said on Twitter.

However, while the UK has decided to accept proof of vaccination from 37 new countries and territories, Zambia’s vaccination program is still not recognized.

That makes it mandatory for people going to the UK from Zambia to quarantine in a government-designated hotel for 10 days.

This is quite an expensive requirement as the 10-day cost for one room for a single adult is nearly £2,300 ($3,130), with the additional rate for an adult or a child over 11 being close to £1,450 ($1,975).

Woolley said UK authorities “are working at pace” with the Zambian Health Ministry to recognize COVID-19 vaccinations in Zambia.

President Hakainde Hichilema said the development came barely a day after he relaunched a vaccination program targeting 11.5 million Zambians, or 70% of the population.

“We continue to urge all Zambians to get vaccinated as we strengthen our relationships with our neighbors and strategic partners around the world,” he said.

“As Zambians, we can now travel to the United Kingdom normally and this positive news also means Zambia’s beautiful national parks are now open for businessmen and tourists coming from the UK.”

Zambia has recorded some 210,000 coronavirus infections and close to 3,700 deaths, while a paltry 3% of the population has been fully vaccinated to date.​​​​​​​