• South Africa claimed it was being punished for discovering the Omicron coronavirus variant Omicron.
• Travel restrictions have been imposed by the United States, UK, and Europe on certain southern African countries.
• The South African foreign ministry stated that "Excellent science should not be punished."

South Africa complained that it was being punished after the introduction of worldwide travel restrictions for flights from southern Africa.

According to the BBC, the South African foreign ministry stated that "excellent science should not be punished", in a statement released on Saturday.

It stated that the latest round of travel bans was akin punishing South Africa's advanced genomic sequencing and ability to detect new variants faster.

Omicron was deemed a coronavirus by the World Health Organization on Friday.

South African researchers discovered the first case of the variant on November 9, and reported it to the WHO on the 24th.

Reuters reported that South Africa boasts some of the most renowned epidemiologists and scientists in the world, who have identified coronavirus variants very early in their lives.

Over the weekend, several countries issued travel restrictions to travelers from southern African countries like South Africa, Botswana Botswana Eswatini and Lesotho.

The US stated that it would limit travel to the region and European Union member countries have also announced plans to ban flights from south African countries.

Australia, Canada, and the UK have all implemented restrictions.

Officials from South Africa claimed that there was unfair discrimination in the country.

Professor Tulio De Oliveira, director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation said, "The world should support South Africa and Africa and stop isolating it," in a series tweets.

--Tulio de Oliveira (@Tuliodna) November 25, 2021

"We are very transparent when it comes to scientific information. We made the data available and raised alarm because the number of infections is increasing. Professor de Oliveira said that we did this in order to protect our country, and the entire world, despite potentially suffering huge discrimination."

The travel bans were also questioned by the government, since the Omicron variant was already detected in Europe as well as Asia.

Joe Phaahla, the health minister, said in a Friday press conference that "the same countries who are enacting such a knee-jerk and draconian response are also fighting their own waves."

The WHO warned countries not to impose travel restrictions based on the variant too quickly. They should adopt a scientific and risk-based approach.

South Africa wanted to revive its tourism industry following a slump due to a pandemic.

Minister Naledi Pandor from South Africa stated that "our immediate concern is the damage these restrictions are causing families, the tourism and travel industries and business."

According to the country, it has already begun engaging with countries that have imposed travel restrictions to persuade them not to continue.