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The new curfew caused domestic airlines to cancel subsequent flights to accommodate curfew times.
- Delayed flights or travel problems mean officials could detain air passengers during curfew restrictions.
- If air passengers are detained during curfew hours due to delays or because their flights arrived near or after curfew, they must show their boarding pass.
- The Department of Tourism says the curfew was not intended to make travel impossible.
An agreement has been reached that all passengers traveling by plane can be on the road during curfew hours if their flights are delayed or if the flight arrives closer to or later than the curfew time.
This is according to Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, executive director of the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA), which represents the private sector.
“All they have to do is present their boarding pass as evidence in case the police stop them while they complete their journey,” Tshivhengwa said Tuesday.
On December 14, 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the extension of the national curfew due to the increasing number of Covid-19 infections across the country. The new curfew, which is from 23:00 to 04:00, caused domestic airlines to cancel subsequent flights to accommodate the restrictions.
Consequently, the TBCSA spoke with the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to solve the domestic flight problems. Together with the minister and industry stakeholders, they tried to reach an agreement that would not affect domestic flights.
“The tourism industry relies on national and international tourists to boost the sector’s revenues and the country’s economy. As much as the curfew continues to greatly impact the tourism industry’s revenues, we continually encourage us to follow all guidelines. , regulations and protocols, “says Tshivhengwa.
Blessing Manale, a spokesman for the Department of Tourism, says the intention behind the curfew was not to make business and other travel impossible. In the department’s view, some rare cases of movement during curfew have not had a massive impact on domestic flights.
Take itineraries
Regarding the travel permit during curfew, he says this will apply to private vehicles, e-hailing, and transportation services that pick up people at airports.
“We urge those who pick up or drop off loved ones at airports to keep records of such travel itineraries to facilitate their interaction with law enforcement agencies. We urge travelers and tourists to continue to act responsibly,” to adhere to measures aimed at curbing the pandemic, “warns Manale.
“At the same time, we ask the airlines to involve passengers in a timely manner in any schedule changes and to continue to interact with Airports Company SA to find landing and departure spaces that facilitate fewer complications for travelers.”
TBCSA and its industry partners have developed a digital industry application, as well as a Travel Safe – Eat Safe certification program. The industry body encourages all establishments, including airlines, to enroll in the certification program and to use the official Covid-19 testing and protocols app to record compliance.
