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JOHANNESBURG – Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula clarified some travel regulations on Friday.
International travel resumed on Thursday after a nearly six-month ban.
Travelers visiting the country are expected to produce a negative COVID-19 test from an accredited laboratory that is no more than 72 hours old.
Visitors traveling for pleasure from 64 countries will not be allowed to enter the country. These countries include the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, and France.
READ: SA Closure: Strict International Travel Rules Announced
Mbalula said South Africans are not prohibited from traveling for pleasure, however the government discourages it.
“The responsibility rests with each and every one of us who use the civil aviation network to ensure we comply with the established standards issued by various government departments,” said Mbalula.
Some of the regulations explained during the briefing referred to specific aspects of safe flights.
A “passport of immunity”, a “certificate without risk” or a “passport immunity” with respect to COVID-19 is not acceptable.
READ: The debate on the use of ‘immunity passports’ against viruses
Passengers must wear masks at all times and may only remove masks during emergencies or when instructed to remove them by the cabin crew.
Flight operators will be able to provide catering on flights with established health and safety measures.
A child under the age of two may be exempt from wearing a mask.
READ: Tourism Industry Welcomes International Travel Decision
A passenger who is unable to wear a mask due to an underlying medical condition must present a medical certificate from a registered physician to the flight operator prior to departure.
International travel from countries that have a high rate of infection and transmission of COVID-19 is prohibited, except for business travel, which may be allowed with the approval of the Cabinet member responsible for Home Affairs.
In the event that the passenger does not present a certificate as proof of a valid PCR negative test certificate or COVID-19 negative test certificate upon arrival in South Africa, the passenger will be subjected to mandatory quarantine at a facility designated by the government at its own expense.
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