Lithuania orders isolation, testing for arrivals from South Africa over new COVID variant

All travelers from South Africa and neighboring countries will have to self-isolate and take two tests on their arrival in Lithuania, an official said on Friday.

The measure comes amid reports that a new variant of the coronavirus has been discovered in South Africa

"People coming from these countries, whether they have been vaccinated or not, will have to take a test prior to their arrival in Lithuania," Deputy Health Minister Ausra Bilotiene Motiejuniene told reporters.

On arrival, "they are subject to isolation, and tests on the third and seventh day", she said.