Emirates suspends Zimbabwe, Zambia flights

Dubai-based airline Emirates is temporarily suspending flights to and from Zimbabwe (Harare) and Zambia (Lusaka) until further notice.

In a statement, the Gulf State carrier announced that it will be suspending flights to and from Zambia and Zimbabwe from Saturday.

In a travel update posted on its website, Emirates said affected passengers do not have to call the airline for rebooking.

"Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans," the update said.

Following the detection of the new, more infectious strain in several countries, many governments have begun closing their borders to nationals from countries where the new variant of the virus has been detected.

The other countries that will not be allowed to travel into Dubai since Saturday are:

South Africa
Botswana
Eswatini
Lesotho
Mozambique
Namibia