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Flight Center Travel Group says that while the gradual reopening of South Africa’s borders from October 1 is a welcome announcement, travel will become much more complex in the coming months.
“Complexity, complexity and more complexity,” said Andrew Stark, Flight Center Travel Group managing director for the Middle East and Africa. “Ever-changing travel regulations and the requirements of different destinations around the world create a travel landscape that will be difficult to navigate.
“For now, it is clear that business travelers have more freedom than they had in the last six months, while leisure travelers are somewhat more restricted.”
Stark cautioned that while the reopening of the borders is a vital and positive step in the right direction and will allow South Africans to reconnect with their loved ones, the return to travel will not be immediate and tourists should not put all caution in wind.
Flight Center said it hopes that South Africans will begin leisure travel to favorite places in the region, such as the SADC countries and popular Indian Ocean islands such as Zanzibar and Mauritius, first.
Kim Taylor, director of customer experience at Flight Center Travel Group, said the list of identified high-risk countries is fluid, as the data will be verified and adjustments made bi-weekly. “Our list of high risk countries is very likely to affect entry regulations for South Africans globally.
“There is still a gray area around South Africans’ outbound travel to high-risk countries that would allow them entry.”
“We encourage South Africans to book their non-essential leisure trips now for next year. For this year, consider keeping it close to home with regional tours of the African continent and the islands of the Indian Ocean, “said Stark.
Bonnie Smith, General Manager of FCM Travel Solutions added regarding business travel: “There is no one-size-fits-all solution these days. It’s important to consider everything from traveler sentiment to company budget constraints and duty of care. “
Oz Desai, CEO of Corporate Traveler, said the announcement of the opening date for international travel is likely to raise many questions for both companies and business travelers.
For example, what destinations will South African travelers accept? Will business travelers be able to minimize exposure while traveling? Is the workplace at the destination a safe environment that allows for social distancing? Will employees be required to quarantine when they return? Does the insurance sufficiently cover employees while they are away?
“We expect a lot of questions from travelers about the different requirements for travel in our current reality, especially as the details are unpacked,” Stark said.
All travelers must comply with the following protocols:
- Submit a negative Covid-19 test result that is no more than 72 hours from departure time;
- When a traveler has not tested for Covid-19 prior to departure, they will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost for a period of ten (10) days;
- All travelers will be subject to a control by the port health officials upon arrival and departure;
- All travelers detected with symptoms will need to remain in quarantine until a new Covid-19 test is performed at their own cost;
- All travelers must have mandatory travel insurance;
- All travelers must complete the Traveler Health Questionnaire prior to arrival or upon arrival at the port of entry;
- In addition to health protocols, travelers will still be subject to other formal border processes. All travelers must wear masks at all times while within the controlled area of Ports of Entry; Port officials to ensure that port users adhere to social distancing as part of the queue management protocol.
Airport rules
Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) said in a note Thursday that it is ready to receive international flights for the first time since the country entered a national lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The group said it has seen the number of flights per day slowly but steadily increase. There are currently an average of 52 arrival and departure flights per day.
Key operational information you need to know when using the airport:
- The use of masks and hygiene is mandatory for all visitors to the airport and passengers are encouraged to wear gloves and maintain adequate social distancing;
- Passengers traveling on domestic flights must arrive at least two hours before their flight, taking into account all the required security protocols;
- Passengers traveling on international flights must arrive at the airport at least three and a half hours before their flight departure;
- Attendees and greetings will only be able to enter the airport at level 0. Currently, meters and greetings will not be able to enter the terminal building;
- All international passengers must arrive with a Covid authorization form.
- All travelers are requested to install the Covid alert South Africa mobile app;
- Airline lounges will not be open on Level 1 until international processes stabilize and volume increases are properly controlled;
- The transit facility will remain closed;
- All persons entering the airport will be screened (including airport staff and passengers); Y
- All airport personnel will use the prescribed personal protective equipment
Read: Here is the full list of high-risk countries that will not be allowed to visit South Africa
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