South Africa's medical chief says recent travel bans represent a "storm in a teacup" and that the country has only recorded "very mild cases" of the new strain.
South Africa's Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the move to place travel restrictions on the country amid fears over the new COVID-19 variant is "unjustified" at a media briefing on Friday, CNBC reported.
Inflation outstripped forecasts and surged above 4 per cent last month to hit its highest level in almost a decade as spiralling energy prices pushed up the cost of living.