Covid-19: Ministers outline conditions for travel to South Africa

Ministers who serve in the National Coronavirus Command Council hosted a media briefing on 30 September about the easing of international travel restrictions as of the 1st of October 2020.

The briefing was attended by the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize.

"Three airports will be opened and operational for international air travel. These airports are OR Tambo International (in Johannesburg, Gauteng), Cape Town International (in Cape Town, Western Cape) and King Shaka International in (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal)." – Minister Pandor pic.twitter.com/xWYI5z6oxH

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 30, 2020

Requirements for travellers entering South Africa

Pandor said that they are pleased that the measures they have put in place put South Africa in the cutting edge of managing the virus. She encouraged all travellers who intend to visit South Africa to download the Covid Alert SA app which will alert them if they have been exposed to someone with the virus.

She said that all travellers who intend to visit South Africa will need to produce a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test which is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin. It needs to be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and the certificate needs to contain the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test.

She explained that travellers will also be screened upon entry and may be asked questions about their contacts. Pandor said that travellers must provide the address of their accommodation in case they need to self-isolate. She said that every person travelling to South Africa must have travel insurance to cover the cost of a test and quarantine if necessary.

There will be three categories to classify countries with a high, medium and low risk. Leisure travellers from high-risk countries won’t be permitted to travel to South Africa. “Only persons who are high skills visa holders, who are investors or diplomats will be allowed in the country.”

Leisure travellers from medium and low-risk countries will be permitted to come to South Africa. Travellers from the African continent will be allowed to travel for business and leisure purposes.

“If you don’t come with a test, or your test is old and we test you here in South Africa, and you are found to be positive, you will have to undergo 10-day mandatory quarantine at a facility identified by the state but at your own cost.”

She said that the land borders that were closed will remain closed. “The main reason being that we do not have the supervisory health screening capacity to staff all those land borders.”

Only three airports will be open for international travel. These include Cape Town International Airport, OR Tambo International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.

Mbalula said that cross-border travel will be permitted for specified cargo. He said that vehicles must be sanitised before picking up cargo, passengers must sanitise and all drivers must wear masks.

"He further announced that on 1 October 2020 South African borders will be opened for business and leisure travel for international traveller’s subject to a number of restrictions for travellers." – Minister Pandor #Level1 pic.twitter.com/dXfiEN8T8O

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 30, 2020

Conditions under which travel will be permitted

Motsoaledi said that the Department of Home Affairs would extend the validity of visas issued to people who are already in South Africa, which expired during the lockdown period, to 31 January 2021. He said that those wishing to be repatriated during this period can do so without being declared undesirable. Motsoaledi explained that typically those who try to return to their country of origin on an expired visa would be allowed to do so but their passport would be stamped undesirable.

He said the department would also resume services for identity cards or documents and passports. He said that they will also begin issuing visitor visas, study visas, business visas, crew visas, medical treatment visas and relative visas.

Pandor said the categorisation of countries would be reviewed every two weeks. Pandor said that leisure travellers from South Africa will be allowed to travel if the country which they are travelling to allows. She said that high-risk countries will also have their own regulations about travel.

High-risk countries include:

• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• France
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Iran
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kosovo
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• Nepal
• Oman
• Palestine
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar, Romania
• Russia
• San Marino
• Saint Martin
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Suriname
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• United States Virgin Islands
• Venezuela.

Mbalula said that cross-border travel will be permitted for specified cargo. He said that vehicles must be sanitised before picking up cargo, passengers must sanitise and all drivers must wear masks.

"On 20th September 2020, President Ramaphosa announced that the country was moving to Alert Level 1 of the Risk Adjusted Approach. Under Alert #Level1, the country eased some of the stringent restrictions which were imposed on citizens under lockdown." – Minister Pandor pic.twitter.com/8ypwSx8vx8

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 30, 2020

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