Countries Not Allowed to visit South Africa
South Africa will open its international borders for the first time in over six months on Thursday (1 October) as part of the country’s move to a level 1 lockdown.
International Relations and cooperation minister Naledi Pandor said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the country’s infection rate has gone down and the country can return to a ‘more normal’ situation.
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She said that the government has developed a list of high and low-risk countries that will be allowed to travel to and from the country based on World Health Organisation Organisation guidelines over a seven-day period.
High-risk travelers are those who come from countries with higher numbers of Covid-19 infections and reported deaths compared to South Africa.
Medium risk travelers are from countries with a relatively equal number of infections and death tolls to South Africa.
Low-risk travelers obviously originate from countries with a lesser number of infections of Covid-19 and death toll than South Africa.
This list will be updated on a regular basis, reviewed every two weeks, Pandor said.
Leisure travelers from high-risk countries will not be permitted. The exception will be business travelers with scarce and critical skills including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors, and people participating in professional sporting and, events will undergo the same health protocol screenings.
“Travellers that intend to visit the country will need to produce a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin,” Pandor said.
“The test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and must have the name and signature of the person who conducted the test.”
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Upon arrival, travelers will be screened for any Covid-19 symptom s and will also be screened for contract with people who have been in contact with others who could have had Covid-19.
Travelers will also need to provide proof of accommodation addresses in case they need to self-isolate. International travel around the world has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Those who are found to have Covid-19 after entering the country will be required to isolate for 10 days at their own cost.
Travel insurance will be mandatory for all travelers.
If the passport of the traveler from a high-risk country indicates that they spent 10 days or more in a low-risk country before departure, they will be considered to be arriving from a low-risk country.
Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the following countries are considered high-risk, where travelers will not be allowed into the country:
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Faroe Islands
- France
- French Polynesia
- Georgia
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Luxembourg
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Nepal
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Panama
- Parguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- St Martin
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Curaçao islands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- The Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
For South Africans looking to travel elsewhere, the rule is that they are free to travel to any country that is currently allowing travelers from South Africa to visit.
Travelers from African Countries
To facilitate free movements of people, goods, and services from South Africa, SADC, and the African continent, travelers from the neighboring countries are allowed to visit our country, said Pandor.
Travelers from all African countries are allowed and must possess relevant travel documents, and will also be screened for Covid-19 symptoms.
To allow ease of travel from the African countries, 18 borders will be opened. 35 border posts will continue to offer restricted services due to insufficient capacity for screening, testing, and quarantine. Travelers who present themselves at borders that are unable to accommodate them will be directed to the currently operational border posts for processing.
Daily commuters who reside in cross-border areas/towns and those who are from neighboring countries including those with relevant work permits and school children and teachers will be allowed to enter and exit the borders for work purposes.
These commuters will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms and where necessary will be subjected to quarantine and isolation. Furthermore, these commuters will be expected to wear face masks, wash hands, and sanitize regularly and practice social distancing measures.
Additional rules
In an analysis of the new level 1 lockdown regulations, Ahlisha Yesmariam of law firm Baker McKenzie outlined the following points which will also need to be followed by travelers:
- The 35 land borders that are currently closed, will remain closed and the 18 land borders which were operating on a partial basis will be fully operational.
- International air travel will be restricted to the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport
- Cape Town International Airport
- Travel to the Republic of South Africa will remain prohibited for travelers from high-risk countries (countries with high Covid-19 infection and transmission rates).
- International travel from high-risk countries will remain prohibited except for business travel, which may be allowed with the approval of the Home Affairs Cabinet member.
- Travel to and from the Republic of South Africa will be allowed, subject to those travelers entering the Republic being from low-risk countries only, and who adhere to the below requirements:
- The traveler must provide a negative Covid-19 test that has been obtained no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel;
- If the traveler is unable to produce a negative Covid-19 test, the traveler will be required to quarantine at their own cost.
- All commercial seaports will be opened.
- Subject to the compliance protocols for entering and exiting the Republic of South Africa, daily commuters from neighboring countries who attend or teach at a school will be allowed to enter and exit the Republic.
- Certain visa application services on offer will resume at Home Affairs from this week. This list will be under review and will be amended as required.
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