Last US citizens repatriated from Cape Town

The last flights carrying the last group of American citizens being repatriated to their country left Cape Town International Airport bound for Dulles International Airport in Washington DC on Friday.

At least 200 ordinary US citizens embarked at the airport after being screened and tested before they departed. On Thursday two groups – one comprising private citizens and staff and officials at the US Mission in South Africa – embarked at OR Tambo International Airport, and another at King Shaka International travelling via Cape Town, where it picked up more US passengers.

This is part of the programme undertaken by the US State Department to repatriate US citizens to be with their families following the ongoing spread of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide.

A total of over 50,000 Americans from 94 countries had been repatriated via 485 flights. A total of between 850 and 900 people were being transported from South Africa to the Dulles International Airport in Washington DC, where they would again be screened and tested for Covid-19 before they took connecting flights or take other transport to their homes.

Yesterday US Deputy Consul-General in Cape Town, Will Stevens, said the last group first assembled at Cape Town Stadium where had to fill in a questionnaire about their health history and to do testing for Covid-19.

In a telephonic interview earlier, US Ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks was quick to say that this was “not a panic evacuation” but planned repatriation by the US State Department to ensure the safety and security of American citizens who requested to be taken home to be with their loved ones during this time. The repatriations were not targeted at South Africa but were part of a process to move Americans to their homes.

The last flight back to the United states departed from Cape Town on Friday. Picture: @USConsulateCT Twitter

“They are moving to Washington and we want to make sure of their safety and security. Those are the people who were anxious to be reunited with their loved ones. The group included those that were based at neighbouring countries like Botswana, eSwatini and Lesotho,” Marks said.

Marks was very thankful to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize in particular for their “magnificent assistance in this process”. She said the South African health authorities had been very strict and did a commendable job under strict conditions required in terms of the Covid-19 regulations.

The envoy also commended the Department of International Relations for their tremendous efforts in ensuring the repatriation went smoothly, and the Department of Transport for all the necessary logistics they offered.

The majority of the passengers were private citizens and it was their choice to return to South Africa should that be necessary. But officials at the US Mission would come back after the Covid-19 pandemi9c was over. “They will be tested by the South African officials at the airports and they are under rigid instruction to be quarantined for 14 days when they arrive. We mentioned to them the need to be cautious, everybody will have to take everything very seriously,” Marks said.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued strict instructions and would monitor the situation in the US. She lauded US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his extremely high level of efficiency in organising the repatriations.

The US administration paid commercial flight fares for the flights and the citizens were expected to pay back the money.

Marks said she would personally remain in South Africa and continue with her job as ambassador. “I’m here, I’m not leaving anytime in future. My task is to ensure that people are safe and our work as the Mission in South Africa continues,” Marks said.

ericn@citizen.co.za

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