Cardiff and Scarlets working to return home as soon as possible from South Africa after the country is added to the UK Government's travel red list due to new Covid-19 variant Cardiff and the Scarlets are set to return to Wales at the earliest opportunity The clubs were to take part in the United Rugby Championship in South Africa South Africa though has been added to the Government's travel red list It comes following the news of a new Covid-19 variant in South Africa By Press Association Published: 10:13 GMT, 26 November 2021 | Updated: 10:13 GMT, 26 November 2021 Viewcomments Cardiff and the Scarlets are planning to return to Wales at the earliest opportunity after South Africa was added to the UK Government's travel red list. The two clubs were set to take part in the United Rugby Championship in South Africa this weekend, with the Scarlets facing the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, and Cardiff playing the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday. However, after UK officials warned of a new variant of the virus, both clubs issued short statements overnight stressing they are working on returning to the UK as soon as possible. Scarlets (captain Jonathan Davies pictured) and Cardiff Blues are set to return home from South Africa which has been added onto the UK's travel red list Cardiff said they are "looking to repatriate our staff ASAP", adding that "our focus is to ensure the safety and welfare of our people". Scarlets said: "Following the news of a new COVID-19 variant in South Africa, Scarlets would like to assure families and friends that we are making every effort to get our touring party back home to the UK as soon as possible." Irish province Munster and Italian club Zebre Parma are also in South Africa ahead of fixtures against the Bulls and Stormers respectively. Following the news of a new COVID-19 variant in South Africa, Scarlets would like to assure families and friends that we are making every effort to get our touring party back home to the UK as soon as possible. We will provide further updates as soon as we can. — Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) November 26, 2021 With the situation in South Africa having changed so quickly, we are now looking to repatriate our staff ASAP. For concerned families and friends, please rest assured that our focus is to ensure the safety and welfare of our people and will keep you updated with any developments. — Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) November 25, 2021 UK officials warned on Thursday night that the new variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 has the potential to evade immunity built up by vaccination or prior infection. Sajid Javid, the UK Health Secretary, said that flights to England from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe will be suspended from midday Friday and all six countries will be added to the red list. The European Tour - now known as the DP World Tour - has just commenced a three-week swing of events in South Africa and there were numerous withdrawals from the Joburg Open. Englishmen Oliver Fisher, Steven Brown, Richard McEvoy, Matthew Jordan, Andrew Wilson, Matt Ford and Graeme Storm, Scots Richie Ramsay, Liam Johnston and Craig Howie, Northern Ireland's Jonathan Caldwell and Cormac Sharvin and Welshman Oliver Farr, all pulled out of the tournament before the second round commenced on Friday, along with Irish pair Niall Kearney and Paul Dunne. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said flights will be suspended from six countries will be suspended from midday on Fridau Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility