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South Africa will open its international borders for the first time in more than six months on Thursday (October 1) as part of the country’s move towards a level 1 blockade.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor told a press conference on Wednesday that the country’s infection rate has decreased and that the country may return to a “more normal” situation.
He said the government has developed a list of high- and low-risk countries that will be allowed to travel to and from the country according to World Health Organization guidelines for a period of seven days.
High risk Travelers are those who come from countries with a higher number of Covid-19 infections and reported deaths compared to South Africa.
Medium risk the travelers come from countries with a relatively equal number of infections and death toll as South Africa.
Low risk The travelers obviously come from countries with lower numbers of Covid-19 infections and number of deaths than SA.
This list will be updated on a regular basis, reviewed every two weeks, Pandor said.
Leisure Travelers from high-risk countries will not be allowed.. The exception will be business travelers with low and critical skills, including diplomats, returnees, investors and people involved in professional sports, and events will undergo the same health protocol checks.
“Travelers who intend to visit the country should produce a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test no longer than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin,” said Pandor.
“The test must be performed by a certified physician and must have the name and signature of the person who performed the test.”
Upon arrival, travelers will be screened for any symptoms of Covid-19 and will also undergo a contract screening with people who have been in contact with others who might have had Covid-19.
Travelers will also need to provide proof of lodging addresses in case they need to isolate themselves. International travel around the world has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Those who have Covid-19 after entering the country will need to isolate themselves for 10 days at their own cost.
Travel insurance will be mandatory for all travelers.
If the passport of a traveler from a high-risk country indicates that he spent 10 days or more in a low-risk country before departure, he will be considered to have arrived from a low-risk country.
Internal Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the following countries are considered high risk, where travelers will not be able to enter the country:
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Faroe Islands
- France
- French polynesia
- Georgia
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guiana
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Luxembourg
- Maldives
- malt
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Nepal
- North macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- San Martin
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Surinam
- Switzerland
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Islands of curacao
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- The Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
The minister mistakenly omitted the countries between A and C in the alphabet, and the department indicated that the “complete final list” will be published after the briefing.
South Africans are free to travel to any country that currently allows travelers from the country to visit.
Travelers from African countries
To facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services from South Africa, SADC and the African continent, travelers from neighboring countries can visit our country, Pandor said.
Travelers from all African countries are allowed and must possess relevant travel documents, and will also be screened for symptoms of Covid-19.
To facilitate travel from African countries, 18 borders will be opened. 35 border posts will continue to offer restricted services due to insufficient detection, testing and quarantine capacity. Travelers who show up at the borders unable to accommodate them will be directed to the currently operational border posts for processing.
Commuters who reside in cross-border areas / cities and those who are from neighboring countries, including those with relevant work and school and teacher permits, will be able to enter and exit borders for work purposes.
These travelers will be screened for symptoms of Covid-19 and, when necessary, will be quarantined and isolated. Additionally, these travelers are expected to wear masks, wash their hands and disinfect regularly, and practice social distancing measures.
Additional rules
In an analysis of the new level 1 lockdown regulations, Ahlisha Yesmariam of the Baker McKenzie law firm outlined the following points that should also be followed by travelers:
- The 35 land borders that are currently closed will remain closed and the 18 land borders that were partially operating will be fully operational.
- International air travel will be restricted to the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport
- Cape Town International Airport
- Travel to the Republic of South Africa will continue to be prohibited for travelers from high-risk countries (countries with high rates of infection and transmission of Covid-19).
- International travel from high-risk countries will remain prohibited, except for business travel, which may be permitted with the approval of the member of the Home Affairs Cabinet.
- Travel to and from the Republic of South Africa will be permitted, subject to the fact that travelers entering the Republic are only from low-risk countries and that they meet the following requirements:
- Traveler must provide negative Covid-19 proof obtained no more than 72 hours prior to travel date;
- If the traveler is unable to produce a negative Covid-19 test, they will be asked to self-quarantine at their own expense.
- All commercial seaports will be opened.
- Subject to compliance protocols for entering and leaving the Republic of South Africa, commuters from neighboring countries attending or teaching at a school will be able to enter and leave the Republic.
- Certain visa application services on offer will resume in Home Affairs starting this week. This list will be reviewed and modified as necessary.
Read: Concerns About South Africa’s New International Travel List
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