France has just classified the DRC in “red” due to an “active circulation of coronavirus” as well as “the presence of a disturbing variant” in the country. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is the circulation of the Delta variant that is of particular concern to the French authorities.
This decision by France imposes further restrictions on travelers coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and wishing to travel to France. Twenty-four countries in the world, including four on the African continent, are now classified as “red” by Paris.
In Africa, South Africa has been classified as a “red country” for several weeks by the French authorities due to the circulation of the Beta variant, the South African variant, less susceptible to vaccination than the original strain. Now it is the Delta variant, also called the Indian variant, that is spreading there and has the feature of being 60% more contagious than the other variants. He is the originator of a third wave of Covid-19 in several African countries. Consequently, Namibia and the Seychelles were also classified as “red countries” by France in June.
Democratic Republic of the Congo, a “very high risk country” for Belgium
It is now the DRC’s turn. As of Thursday, June 29, the Delta variant in the country accounted for 84% of the new infections. The French authorities only allow travel from “red countries” in case of “compelling reasons”. Holidaymakers and tourists can therefore not travel to France. And for those who have the right to travel, it is also necessary to present a negative screening test before boarding. Another test is performed on arrival in France and a quarantine of 7 or 10 days must be followed depending on whether people are vaccinated or not.
Also note that since June 26, the Belgian authorities have also been considered a “very high-risk country”. It is forbidden to travel to Belgium without compelling reasons. Once approved, vaccinated or not, a 10-day quarantine and multiple screening tests are mandatory.
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