EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVELLING TO SOUTH AFRICA DURING COVID-19
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South Africa recently announced that after closing its borders at the end of March 2020, will open for international travel on the 1 October 2020.
However, not all countries will be allowed entry. A risk-based system has been put in place to evaluate countries and determine whether they will be allowed entry. There are three classifications – high-risk, medium-risk or low-risk.
Here is everything else you need to know about traveling to South Africa during COVID-19.
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How are countries classified?
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Countries are classified as high, medium, or low-risk based on an evaluation of their infection, transmission and death rates. Countries with rates higher than South Africa will be deemed high-risk and thus unable to travel to South Africa for leisure purposes. Countries falling into the medium and low-risk categories will have lower rates than South Africa and as such, be able to enter South Africa.
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Which countries are allowed entry?
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Countries from medium and low-risk areas will be allowed entry for leisure travel. Countries from high-risk countries will only be allowed to enter on the basis of business or work (business workers, investors, high-skilled professionals), and not for leisure travel.
However, if a person from a high-risk country indicates on their passport that they have spent the last 10 days or more in a low-risk country, they will be considered as a low-risk country arrival.
All African countries are considered low-risk and will be allowed entry. The South African government is yet to release the full list of all low and medium-risk countries outside of the African continent.
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Which countries are not allowed entry?
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As of the 1 October 2020, the following countries are considered high-risk and will not be allowed to enter South Africa on the basis of leisure travel:
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Italy
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- USA
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How often will changes in risk categories be considered?
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Every two weeks, South Africa will re-evaluate the list of countries and determine a possible change in risk category based on the infection, transmission and death rates over the previous week.
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So you’re allowed into South Africa, but which airports are open?
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South Africa, as of the 1 October 2020, intends only to open the three major international airports, these being:
- OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
- King Shaka International Airport (Durban)
- Cape Town International Airport
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What are the entry requirements for entry to South Africa?
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In order to gain entry into South Africa, every passenger will undergo temperature screening and will need the following:
- A negative COVID-19 test (no older than 72 hours) that has been conducted by a certified medical practitioner and contains the practitioner’s name and signature.
- Travel insurance
- Proof of accommodation within South Africa.
If a traveller is unable to produce a negative COVID-19 test, they will be required to quarantine at their own expense.
Travellers will need to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
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What happens if I contract COVID-19 in South Africa?
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In order to gain entry into South Africa, every passenger will undergo temperature screening and will need the following:
- A negative COVID-19 test (no older than 72 hours) that has been conducted by a certified medical practitioner and contains the practitioner’s name and signature.
- Travel insurance
- Proof of accommodation within South Africa.
If a traveller is unable to produce a negative COVID-19 test, the following procedure will be followed:
- The traveller will be screened for signs and symptoms on arrival.
- Upon failure to produce a certified PCR test result, the traveller will be directed to a testing facility at the port of entry.
- A staff member from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) will collect the samples and conduct the test immediately.
- The cost shall be borne by the traveller and the NHLS shall be remunerated upon testing. Travellers must be prepared to pay out of pocket (approximately €7 to €8) and claim the fees from their health insurance service provider. Travellers should be prepared to pay out of pocket,
- If the traveller tests negative, he/ she will be allowed to proceed through the port of entry provided they have been cleared of red flags at the screening phase.
- If the traveller tests positive he/ she will be required to quarantine at a facility designated by that particular port of entry. They will not be permitted to travel across provinces. Contacts of a traveller testing positive at the point of entry, including those who were in proximity of the traveller within the conveyance, will also be tracked and traced.
- Travellers who arrive without a certified PCR test and who refuse to test at the port of entry will not be permitted entry into the republic and will be required to quarantine at a designated facility.
Travellers will need to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
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Don’t lose hope!
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Of course, we are disappointed that we cannot welcome all travellers back to South Africa. However, we remain hopeful that as South Africa continues to re-evaluate countries and the pandemic begins to subside, the high-risk list will grow shorter.
And don’t forget, many other African countries are open to travellers from South Africa’s no-entry list so you can still have the African Adventure of your dreams! Let’s start planning your tailor-made tour.
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In search of more inspiration?
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EXPERIENCE AFRICA FROM HOME…
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