South Africa: Update on travel/tourism-related Covid-19 regulations under level one lockdown [update]

South Africa's Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, has released a further update (Government Gazette No. 43956 (03 December 2020)) on the Disaster Management Act, 2002. With regard to "International flights and domestic flights", South Africa's travel/tourism-related Covid-19 regulations under the country's level one lockdown have been amended as follows (excerpt):

International passenger flights to and from South Africa are permitted, subject to the following conditions:

• A traveller must provide a valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ("PCR") test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization (WHO) requirements or equivalent local accreditation authority. South African Authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of thepresented PCR or COVID-19 test certificates
• In the event of the traveller's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid test certificate, as proof of a negative PCR test or a valid COVID-19 negative test status upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller shall be subjected to a compulsory quarantine or undergo COVID-19 testing in linew ith the National Health Regiments
• a passenger is required to wear a face mask at all times, may only remove a face mask during an emergency or when instructed by cabin crew to take it off and must observe social distancing, hand washing and sanitize regularly
• A child under the age of five years may be exempted from wearing a face mask
• A passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition, must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the flight operator prior to departure
• Flight deck crew are required to wear masks for the purpose of embarking and disembarking
• Cabin crew members are required to wear masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing or during an emergency
• An "immunity passport", "risk-free certificate" or "passport immunity" in respect of COVID-19 is not acceptable

to read the complete Government Gazette No. 43956 (03 December 2020) click here >>

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The Government of South Africa has updated its travel/tourism-related Covid-19 regulations under the country's level one lockdown. According to the Government Gazette No. 43954 (03 December 2020), the rules for both entering and leaving South Africa, the tests required, as well as the quarantine periods have been updated.

Persons exiting South Africa:

• A person exiting South Africa through a point of entry must be subjected to screening, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire
• A person who, during screening, is found to have had exposure to Covid-19 or is presenting with any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 must be subjected to a medical examination which may include testing;
• Based on the outcome of this medical examination, the Director-General of Health or any delegated person may make a decision on whether or not the person is allowed to exit South Africa
• Persons found to have contracted Covid-19 pursuant to testing, must be placed under mandatory isolation or hospitalisation
• Persons placed under isolation may be permitted to self-isolate at their own private residence if they comply with the prescribed criteria.

Persons entering South Africa:

• A person entering South Africa must be subjected to screening on arrival at the point of entry, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire
• A person who, during screening, is found to have had exposure to Covid-19 or is presenting with any signs and symptoms of Covid-19, must be subjected to a medical examination which may include testing and isolation
• A person (children below the age of five years are exempted) entering South Africa must on arrival at the point of entry, provide to the port health official the following:
• a completed Traveller Health Questionnaire
• a valid negative Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, not older than 72 hours from the date of departure from the country of origin
• A person who is not in possession of a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result will be subjected to antigen testing at the point of entry and may be subjected to quarantine at an approved facility at his or her own cost
• A person who is subjected to quarantine
• must, on arrival at the point of entry, complete and sign a written declaration committing to adhere to quarantine requirements
• will be liable for all costs related to testing, quarantine and transportation
• Persons entering South Africa are encouraged to install the Covid Alert SA mobile application on their mobile phones
• A person who experiences any signs and symptoms consistent with Covid-19 whilst in South Africa, must seek medical attention and inform the medical practitioner of his or her travel history

Cost of quarantine in South Africa:

• A traveller entering South Africa (or his or her employer) must bear the cost of quarantine and isolation.

Self-quarantine and self-isolation in South Africa:

The 10-day period of quarantine and isolation applies to persons:

• entering South Africa without valid Covid-19 PCR test certificate who are subjected to quarantine
• who upon entry, have been screened and found to be Covid-19 positive or suspected of having contracted Covid-19
• who are inside South Africa and have to be quarantined, either because they are suspected of having contracted Covid-19 or of having been in contact with a person who is a carrier of Covid-19, or isolated because they are confirmed as clinical or laboratory cases having contracted Covid-19.

to read the complete Government Gazette No. 43954 (03 December 2020) click here >>