South Africa open its borders to International Travel with Immediate Effect

We welcome the easing of restrictions and look forward to welcoming international visitors in a COVID safe way.🐘🐆🐧🦏☀️

However, travellers will still need to adhere to the following stringent safety measures:

• All travellers will need to produce a negative COVID test certificate not older than 72 hours from departure (it looks like rapid tests will be accepted as well as standard PCR tests);
• Travellers will need to comply with local health protocols whilst in South Africa;
• If a traveller presents symptoms, they will need to quarantine at their own expense

We will continue to update as the finer details are confirmed. At present, the second lockdown rules prohibit foreign holidays for people living in England until 2nd December 2020.

The following restrictions remain intact to prevent the spread of the virus in South Africa:

• The number of people allowed in a public space remains limited to 50% of its normal capacity;
• Gatherings are limited 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors;
• Everyone is required to always wear masks and ensure social distancing in public, as well as sanitise regularly;
• The curfew remains in place from 12am until 4am.

The Government recommendation is to download Covid Alert app as soon as you enter in the country, so travellers can be notified if they have been exposed to the virus, whether it is in a taxi, a shopping mall or a social gathering – and it does so without sharing your location or any personal information. The app is zero-rated by mobile networks, so it won’t cost you anything to protect yourself and others.

In a Nutshell

Contained within the Government Gazette the following regulations pertaining to international travel and border reopenings:

• The 18 land borders that were partially operational, will now be fully operational and the 34 land borders that were closed, will remain closed.
• All international travel will resume subject to the traveller providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel 
• In the event of the traveller's failure to submit a certificate of proof of a negative test, the traveller will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own cost
• International travel remains restricted to the following airports:
  1. OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
  2. Cape Town International Airport
  3. King Shaka International Airport (Durban)
• All commercial seaports will reopen
• Small craft will be allowed entry into seaports in line with health and border law enforcement protocols
• The resumption of visa application services shall be determined in directions issued by the Cabinet Member responsible for Home Affair
• The Cabinet Member responsible for Home Affairs in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Health and Transport must develop International Travel Containment Protocols to be issued in directions, to ensure that entry into South African ports of entry will only be allowed subject to adherence, to ensure COVID-19 positive travellers are not allowed into the Republic.

Specific economic exclusions:

Night clubs

• Passenger ships for international leisure purposes, excluding small craft, in-line with health and border law enforcement protocols
  Attendance at any sporting event by spectators
  International sports events

We can't wait to have you back! #MeetSouthafrica 🐘🐆🐧🦏

Important Links:

Foreign travel advice SA

Department of Home Affairs http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/covid-alert-south-africa/id1524618326