What happens if the country in which I’m travelling suddenly moves from low-risk to high-risk?

We know that airlines from high-risk countries are not necessarily banned and that South Africans will always be allowed to return home, whether or not they are travelling from or through a high-risk country. ASATA is awaiting confirmation on this point, but transit through a high-risk country, where the traveller has not passed through immigration, is not likely to affect entry (for both South African citizens and foreign nationals). Restriction of travellers from high-risk countries is more likely to be based on where the traveller’s passport shows they have resided over the last 10 days.

Can an arrival self-quarantine upon entry rather than go to a quarantine facility?

Returning South Africans who are unable to present a negative test result, or who display symptoms should be able to self-quarantine at home, provided they have access to: Separate bedroom with an on-suite bathroom and toilet that is not shared with another person. Prepared meals to be served in the room preferably in disposable utensils alternatively separated and washed properly. Support from friends or family that can facilitate the drop off of food and medicine at the gate if they are not able to make use of online shopping facilities and contactless deliveries. Access to a thermometer that will allow for the monitoring of temperature daily. Access to the internet either through my phone or computer to allow reporting symptoms daily. Access to a private physician that he or she can contact should he or she be in need of medical advice or care. No visitors are permitted to visit the quarantined person. Foreign national arrivals may be permitted to self-quarantine at their accommodation, provided it meets the conditions above, but we are awaiting further clarification and confirmation on this point. TBC IF THE APPLICATION FOR SELF-QUARANTINE IS STILL REQUIRED AND IF A FOREIGN NATIONAL CAN SELF-QUARANTINE

Is entry based on country of citizenship or residence (or where an individual has visited or transitted through)?

Entry into South Africa for foreign nationals is based on where the traveller has spent the previous 10 days. If the passport of a foreign national traveller from a high-risk country indicates that they have spent 10 days or more in a low-risk country before departure to South Arica, they will be considered to be arriving from a low-risk country and subject to the low-risk entry requirements. South African citizens and permanent residents will always be allowed to return home, whether or not they are travelling from or through a high-risk country.

What are the exceptions for travellers from high-risk countries and what is the process for entry?

Exceptions will be made for individuals from high-risk countries who are business travellers, diplomats, repatriated persons, investors and people with scarce and critical skills or participating in professional sporting or cultural events. Business travellers must apply, in writing, to the Minister of Home Affairs and demonstrate reasons for their request to enter South Africa. This application must be sent to Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za and include: a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa; proof of business activities to be undertaken in South Africa; proof of travel itinerary; and proof of address or accommodation in South Africa. They will likewise be subject to the prescribed screening procedure and isolation or quarantine rules, depending on the circumstances. On arrival, they must present a valid certificate of a negative test obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. Failure to present proof of a negative test will require the traveller to quarantine at their own cost.

What are the requirements to enter South Africa?

All arrivals must present a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, obtained not more than 72 hours (3 days) from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa. The test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and the certificate must have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test. Failure to present proof of a valid and negative test will require the traveller to quarantine at their own cost. All arrivals will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms and/or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Should the traveller display any COVID-19–related symptoms or have been in contact with an infected person, they will be expected to take a mandatory COVID-19 test. This test will be at the traveller’s cost. If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the traveller will be subjected to a 10-day quarantine at a designated site, at the traveller’s cost. All arrivals must provide proof of accommodation address should they need to self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country, subject to the accommodation allowing for self-quarantine. All arrivals will be asked to download the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app. Information on the app can be found here. All foreign national arrivals will need to obtain a visa in order to enter South Africa. All foreign national arrivals must have travel insurance that covers the cost of any testing or quarantine.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

URGENT COVID-19 TBCSA Directive to Accommodation Establishments

Mar 22, 2020

Last Updated on Mar 22, 2020

We have tourists from some tour groups that have tested positive, and this is putting staff in accommodation establishments and attractions at high risk. As such TBCSA has been instructed by the Ministry of Tourism to ask industry to cooperate fully as a matter of urgency on the below:

All hotels that have tourist from high-risk countries should urgently compile a list of those tourists including the following.
1. Personal details
2. Entry date into South Africa (please look at Home Affairs entry stamp)
3. Places visited by tourists
No tourist from high-risk countries should be allowed to check-in or out of any accommodation establishments across the country. We need to assist them with contacting their embassies as well COVID-19 hotline: 0800 029 999
The health officials will go to all establishments to test for COVID-19
All embassies will be notified

COVID-19-TBCSA-Memo

The impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry is unprecedented and unpredictable. The nature of the content that is being shared on the ASATA coronavirus microsite is therefore constantly changing. Please check the date of the post to ascertain its recency.

URGENT COVID-19 TBCSA Directive to Accommodation Establishments

Recording: What do travellers want in a COVID world? -Africa Travel Week (ATW) Masterclass

BARSA – Airline preparations for reopening

IATA calls for systematic COVID-19 testing before departure

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