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Traveling outside of South Africa this COVID-hit holiday season? Here’s a DIRCO 8-point checklist before you make your move.
JOHANNESBURG – Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor on Monday warned South Africans traveling to countries with high rates of COVID-19 infection to consider postponing their travels this holiday season.
The minister said through a departmental press conference in the morning that 30,000 South Africans were repatriated from March until the time travel restrictions were fully lifted. Many travelers found themselves in danger during the pandemic and were stranded in other countries.
While the department can’t prevent anyone from traveling to countries that are currently in a second wave of COVID-19 infections this holiday season, it has compiled a list of things travelers should consider before boarding an international flight.
“This experience has made us realize the importance of making sure that we equip all South Africans who intend to travel abroad during this season with information that could help them avoid having to be repatriated because they are stranded.” Pandor said at a briefing. in Pretoria.
Here’s what to know if you’re traveling abroad, in addition to the usual guidelines:
• BE CAREFUL / RECONSIDER: The countries of the northern hemisphere face a second wave of pandemic. South Africans should be careful when traveling to these countries as one could feel distressed or even helpless abroad. Depending on the level of blocking in the respective countries, there is the possibility that international flights will be canceled on short notice. Please read carefully about the country you intend to visit as the global situation is unstable. If the country you choose is high risk, consider postponing your visit or proceed with caution if travel is unavoidable.
• TRAVELING IS AT YOUR OWN RISK: When you travel to these countries, you travel at your own risk, knowing the current circumstances and the associated uncertainty. Make sure you are familiar with that country’s health and immigration entry requirements, as well as South Africa’s health entry requirements during the pandemic.
• ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: If you have any questions regarding the health entry requirements of the country you will be visiting, please contact your embassy in South Africa for assistance. If you need some clarity on the health entry requirement upon your return to South Africa, you can refer to the Department of Health website.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: Make sure you have adequate travel insurance. Many South Africans did not have adequate travel insurance or did not have it during the peak of the pandemic earlier this year. Inadequate insurance could not cover long hotel accommodation, nor could it cover new airline tickets and other costs.
• CHECK IN: When you arrive in the country you are traveling to, register with the South African embassies abroad. The contacts of all our embassies are available on the website of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. South Africans are encouraged to register via the email addresses provided as some officials may be working remotely due to local lockdown regulations and will not always be available to take your call.
• CONTACTS: Inform your family or closest relatives of your destination and the length of your stay.
• IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS: Make sure you meet the immigration requirements of the country you want to visit, as countries have revised their visa regimes during the global pandemic.
• PROOF: Check the COVID-19 protocol of the country you want to visit. If you do not meet the requirements, you may be denied entry. Although not common yet, many airlines will likely require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine before allowing travel to begin. Currently, only a COVID-19 test is mandatory.
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