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Relaxed travel restrictions allow South Africans to travel to any country, whether for pleasure or business, if that country allows it. (Photo: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The National Coronavirus Command Council has announced the relaxation of international travel restrictions as of Thursday, October 1.
At a press conference on September 30, the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) announced that South Africa would reopen its borders and ports of entry for business and leisure travel on Thursday, October 1, guided by the recommendations published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The gradual reopening of borders and ports of entry informed by a cautious approach means that a limited number of ports of entry and borders will be opened as of October 1, 2020,” said Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor.
Three airports will be opened and operated for international air travel: OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, Cape Town International and King Shaka International in Durban.
All travelers must adhere to strict protocols established by the government.
“Travelers wishing to visit the country are expected to submit a PCR [polymerase chain reaction] prove that you have no more than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa, ”said Pandor.
He said that if the traveler showed any symptoms of Covid-19 or had been in contact with an infected person, they would be expected to undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test on their own.
If the test is positive, the traveler will be quarantined for 10 days at a state designated site, at the traveler’s expense.
Although the borders of SA will open on Thursday, there are still restrictions.
“South Africa has developed a risk categorization model for different international travelers. This model classifies international travelers according to a scale of high, medium and low risk, ”said Pandor.
Low risk Travelers are those who come from countries with fewer Covid-19 infections and deaths than South Africa.
Medium risk the travelers come from countries with relatively equal numbers of infections and deaths as South Africa.
High risk the travelers come from countries with significantly higher numbers of infections and deaths than South Africa.
The NCCC list of high-risk countries:
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Falun Islands, France, French Polynesia, Georgia, Gibraltar, Crete, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta , Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Nepal, North Macedonia, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saint Martin, Slovakia, Slovenia, Suriname, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago , Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, UK, US, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela,
South Africans are allowed travel to any country, whether for pleasure or business, if that country allows it. However, if you decide to go to a high-risk country, you will be treated as a high-risk traveler upon your return to South Africa.
If the passport of a traveler from a high-risk country indicates that he has spent 10 days or more in a low-risk country before departure, he will be considered to have arrived from a low-risk country.
While business travelers from high-risk countries will be allowed into the country, leisure travelers from high-risk countries will not be allowed into the country.
Internal Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi noted that the Department of Internal Affairs was extending the validity of visas that expired during the shutdown until January 31, 2021.
On airlines from high-risk countries, Pandor said they are not “necessarily prohibited, however, their crew will be required to isolate themselves in facilities in designated accommodation at the expense of their employer.”
Crew changes will be allowed for crew members arriving on cargo ships. However, luxury passenger liners are still unable to dock and unload passengers.
On commuters residing in cross-border areas or cities and those from neighboring countries, including those with relevant work and school permits and teachers, Pandor said “they will be allowed to enter and leave the borders for work reasons.”
Pandor said these guidelines will be reviewed every two weeks based on epidemiological data from South Africa and worldwide.
Pandor reminded everyone to continue to adhere to physical distancing and hygiene practices. He said that in the interest of “all citizens and continued public health efforts, South Africa reserves the right to deny entry to any traveler traveling from a high-risk country for tourism purposes.” DM / MC
