South Africa is launching a new web-based Travel Health Questionnaire COVID-19 screening platform!

South Africa's Department of Health (DoH) is launching a pilot project for a new web-based Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ) COVID-19 screening platform. The new platform is a digital screening solution that allows travellers to complete the required travel health questionnaire (THQ) on their personal devices ahead of their arrival at the ports of entry. It will allow travellers to complete their travel and symptomatic information at any time from 2 days ahead of their journey to ensure that the exposure and symptoms information provided is relevant. Once completed, the traveller will receive a unique number (look-up ID) which they will present to the Port Health official at the respective port of entry to proceed with the screening process. 

The new web-based Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ) COVID-19 screening platform

As of 17 December 2020, international travellers arriving at O.R Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, those departing from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, those entering the country through Beit Bridge land border (South Africa <> Zimbabwe) and those exiting through Maseru Bridge land border (South Africa <> Lesotho) will be expected to complete the web-based THQ. The paper-based system for COVID-19 screening will continue to be in operation at all other operational ports of entry. The complete move from paper-based screening systems to a digitized screening solution will be made in a phased approach. 

The new web-based Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ) COVID-19 screening platform will be live from noon on 15 December 2020 to allow travellers to complete the web-based form ahead of their travel and can be accessed using this link. Travellers who have already booked their tickets can still access the web-based THQ at any time after the system goes live.
According to South Africa's Department of Health (DoH), security of personal information was one of the top priorities throughout the development of the new web-based Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ) COVID-19 screening platform. In consequence, best practice guidelines as per the Protection of Personal Information Act (or POPI Act) are followed to protect all traveller’s personal information at all times.