Covid-19: Namibia introduces new mitigation measures for 14 days! [update]

update (06 July 2021): As part of the new tourist dispensation guidelines, there will be no travel restrictions applicable to international tourists once they comply with the provisions outlined in the appended protocols. See the "Tourism Guidelines applicable from 01 July to 15 July 2021" as issued by Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism:

update (05 July 2021):  According to Government Gazette No.7568 (Government Notice No. 138 Amendment of Public Health Covid-19 General Regulations: Public and Environmental Health Act, 2015), a person may not enter into or depart from one zone to another zone [see page 6 of Government Gazette No.7568], unless that person is a tourist entering a zone for tourism purposes and the person has presented a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result on entry into Namibia.

Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 30th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 30 June 2021 that the existing Public Health Regulations (as of 15 June 2021), which are set to expire today (30 June 2021), are getting adjusted. The adjustments will come into force at midnight today, Wednesday 30 June 2021, for a period of fourteen (14) days until 15 July 2021. The follwing measures are designed to curtail the further spread of Covid-19 after 30 June 2021:

• No travel will be permitted between Namibia's regions, however travel within regions, will be permitted. Returning residents, essential service providers, emergency medical cases and transportation of human remains for burial purposes, will be permitted entry and exit into restricted regions, with the relevant permit.
• Public Gatherings as defined in the Regulations will be maintained at ten (10) persons per event.
• The Curfew shall remain in force, however will be brought forward to commence from 21:00 to 04:00, daily.
• Education:
• All public and private schools (pre-primary up to grade 9), including Early Childhood Development Centres are currently on a special Winter Holiday until 26 July 2021.
• Face-to-Face classes for Grades 10, 11 and 12 will be suspended countrywide, as part of the Winter Holiday, from the 1st until 16 July 2021.
• Face-to-Face classes for Higher Education Institutions including Vocational Education Training Providers are also suspended for the period.  All examinations for tertiary students will be undertaken online.
• Restrictions related to liquor:
• The sale of liquor in Namibia is restricted from 09:00 to 18:00, Mondays to Thursdays, on a take-away basis only, with exception of hospitality establishments such as guesthouses, hotels and similar establishments where residing guests may access on-site amenities.
• No alcohol outlet will be permitted to operate on Fridays to Sundays.
• All food establishments are to serve food on a take-way basis only, including restaurants, food vendors and kapana traders.
• Hair Dressers, Tailors, Beauty Parlors will remain open, subject to strict adherence to Public Health Regulations. Not more than ten (10) persons will be permitted inside an establishment, at a time, and all persons must comply to the mandatory wearing of face masks and maintain physical distance of 1.5 meters or more.
• Under the circumstances, Gambling Houses, Night Clubs, Gyms & Sports Clubs, public recreational spaces including playgrounds and swimming pools are all deemed to be high-risk and will not be permitted to operate.
• All contact sports as defined in the Regulations, remain prohibited.  For non-contact sports, no spectators will be permitted at live events.
• Passenger Restrictions:
• All road and air public transport operators will not be permitted to travel between regions, including long-haul operators and aircraft;
• Within regions, motorists may only load passengers to half the capacity of the motor vehicle.
• A special dispensation for tourists will be put in place. Further details will follow.
• Burials will be revised to take place within ten (10) days. 

Covid-19: Robben Island Museum suspends all tours until further notice! [update]

update (27 July 2021): The Robben Island Museum (RIM) on Cape Town's Robben Island has announced the resumption of tours from 28 July 2021 at 11:00. 

update (12 July 2021): In adhering to the adjusted alert level 4 regulations, Robben Island Museum (RIM) will continue to suspend all tours during the next 14 days.

The Robben Island Museum (RIM) on Cape Town's Robben Island has announced the temporary suspension of all tours until further notice. This is due to the adjusted alert level 4 regulations that South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 27 June 2021.
Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, about 7km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand in Cape Town. South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars before the fall of apartheid. 

Kruger National Park Calendar - August!

Weather:

• cool mornings and cold evenings
• temperatures & humidity rise during the day

Temperatures:

• between 12°C - 28°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

Landscape:

• bush extremely dry
• landscape a yellow hue through flowering knobthorn, cassias and other
• veld often overgrassed, especialy around watering holes etc.

Animal Activity:

• game congrates around watering holes, rivers etc.
• elephant numbers at their highest in northern Kruger
• earliest summer migrant birds arrive
• local raptors breeding
• weakest animals die of thirst or from predators

Kruger National Park tours >>
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Covid-19: Zimbabwe imposes dusk to dawn curfew!

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has re-installed a strict level four lockdown with new restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe on 29 June 2021. The measures are in effect for two weeks, after which they will be reviewed. Zimbabwe has seen its 7-day average infection rate increasing five times to 727 compared to two weeks ago. The key highlights of the enhanced Level 4 restriction are:

• Intercity movement in Zimbabwe is prohibited, except for production and distribution of food and medicine
• Travellers from countries with Alpha and Delta Covid-19 variants, are getting quarantined and tested on 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th day at their own expense
• Travellers with fake Covid-19 documents attract custodial sentences
• Commerce and industry are to open from 08:00 - 15:30 in compliance with the 18:30 - 06:00 general curfew hours
• Companies are required to only have 40% of their workforce
  

According to the President, a Covid-19 vaccination blitz will be rolled out in Zimbabwe's border towns and cities, tobacco auction floors, GMB and Cottco depots, major construction sites and people’s markets.

Eswatini: Eswatini Airlink & Airlink temporarily suspend flights between South Africa <> Eswatini! [update]

update (01 July 2021):  Eswatini Airlink and its operating partner Airlink have suspended all flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport (SHO), the only international airport in Eswatini, up to and including 5 July 2021.

Eswatini Airlink and its operating partner Airlink have announceed the suspension of flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport (SHO), the only international airport in Eswatini, on 30 June 2021, due to civil unrest in the country. According to Eswatini Airlink General Manager, Joseph Dlamini, this is in the interest of the safety and security of the airline's customers and staff. Eswatini Airlink will continue to assess the situation and we will restore normal services as soon as it is safe to do so.

Flights cancelled on 30 June 2021 are:

• 4Z 080 Johannesburg – King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)
• 4Z 086 Johannesburg – King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)
• 4Z 081 King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) - Johannesburg
• 4Z 087 King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) - Johannesburg

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South African National Parks introduces changes to its hospitality and tourism services for lockdown adjusted level four!

Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa, that the South Africa moves to Adjusted Level Four from 28 June 2021, South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced key changes to its hospitality and tourism services in its various national parks. SANParks in complying with government regulations has therefor made the requisite amendments particularly for travellers to its national parks originating from Gauteng.

The rules for clients from Gauteng with exiting reservations are as follows:

• There will not be a blanket cancellation of bookings for guests residing in Gauteng. Instead, those holding current reservations valid for the period 28 June to 11 July 2021 will be contacted directly via telephone and email to establish whether their bookings should be postponed or cancelled.
• Guests are also encouraged to contact reservations on 012 428 9111 or 082 233 9111 or email reservations@sanparks.org if they are unsure about their current reservation.
• Where cancellation is the only option, cancellation fees will not be charged and clients will be provided with the option to claim a full refund or for their deposit to be kept on credit-on-hold for use on future reservations.
• Gauteng residents currently in occupation of SANParks accommodation facilities will be permitted to remain in the parks for the duration of their reserved stay as the regulations permit for persons who were outside the province when the regulations came into force, a once-off trip to return to their places of residence.

• All gatherings at beaches and picnic sites within the national parks are prohibited.
• The dining facilities and restaurants within the national parks will operate on the basis of off-site consumption and therefore no sit-down dining will be allowed.

More information will be shared on the compliance with the regulations regarding occupancy levels once SANParks has finalised the necessary logistics. We'll keep you posted!

Cape Town: The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) closes for 14 days! [update]

update (27 July 2021): The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town has reopened. The current opening hours are Thursdays to Sundays, 10:00 to 18:00.

update (12 July 2021): The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, the world's largest museum of contemporary African art, has announced that it will be closed until 25 July 2021 due to the extension of the adjusted Level 4 lockdown to contain the impact of the third wave of Covid-19 infections nationally

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, the world's largest museum of contemporary African art, has announced that it is temporarily closing doors. According to the museum, this is "to ensure the health and safety of our staff and visitors, and in keeping with the government regulations for COVID-19 lockdown Level 4". The Zeitz MOCAA is set to reopen on 11 July 2021.
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is located in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, on the banks of Table Bay overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Covid-19: "Maropeng - The Cradle of Humankind" closes for 14 days! [update]

update (27 Juli 2021): Maropeng, the official visitor's centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, has announced that the Sterkfontein Caves and the Visitor's Centre itself will reopen to visitors from 30 July 2021! It will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays. The Maropeng Boutique Hotel, however, remains closed.  
Please note: online booking to the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Sterkfontein Caves is essential.

update (12 July 2021): Maropeng, the official visitor's centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, has announced that the Sterkfontein Caves, the Maropeng Boutique Hotel as well as the Visitor's Centre itself will be closed for another 14 days (from today) due to the extension of the adjusted Level 4 lockdown to contain the impact of the third wave of Covid-19 infections nationally and with particular regulations for Gauteng.

Maropeng, the official visitor's centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, has announced that the Sterkfontein Caves, the Maropeng Boutique Hotel as well as the Visitor's Centre itself will close for the next 14 days (from 28 June 2021). According to a facebook posting by Maropeng, the closure follows President Ramaphosa's announcement that South Africa goes into an adjusted Level 4 lockdown to contain the impact of the third wave of Covid-19 infections nationally and with particular regulations for Gauteng. Tickets that have already been booked will be refunded.
Maropeng is the official visitor's centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. It is located about 50 km northwest of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa. The site currently occupies 47,000 ha and contains a complex of limestone caves.

Covid-19: South Africa further tightens restrictions for 14 days! [update]

update (30 June 2021): South Africa's lockdown rules governing Alert Level 4 have been updated. According to an 8-page amendment from co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and other accommodation establishments are allowed again to use full capacity of the available rooms", as long as patrons keep social distance, and keep their masks on, when they are in shared spaces.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 27 June 2021 that the country will tighten Covid-19 restrictions for 14 days (adjusted alert level 4). This is due to sharp rise of infections with the Delta variant of the corona virus in South Africa. As of 27 June 2021, the Delta variant has been detected in five of South Africa's provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape. According to the President, the Delta variant is rapidly displacing the Beta variant, which has been dominant in the country until now.

The following measures (adjusted alert level 4) are in in place across South Africa from today, 28 June 2021 to 11 July 2021:

• All gatherings – whether indoors or outdoors – are prohibited. These include religious, political, cultural and social gatherings.
• Funerals and cremations are permitted, but attendance may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
• Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.
• Public spaces, such as beaches and parks, will remain open. However, no gatherings will be permitted.
• A curfew will be in place from 21:00 to 04:00, and all non-essential establishments will need to close by 20:00.
• The sale of alcohol both for on-site and off-site consumption is prohibited. South Africa's Ministerial Advisory Committee has advised that the limited restrictions previously imposed were not that effective and that a prohibition will ease the pressure that is placed on hospital services by alcohol-related emergency incidents.
• Because of the burden of infections in Gauteng, travel in and out of the province for leisure purposes will be prohibited. This does not include work, business or commercial travel, transit through airports or for the transport of goods. If you are currently not in your place of residence, you will be allowed to return home to or from Gauteng.
• Visits to old age homes, care facilities and other ‘congregant settings’ is restricted.
• Restaurants and other eateries are only permitted to sell food for take-away or delivery. This is because it is not possible for patrons to wear masks while eating or drinking in these establishments.

The closure of schools and other educational institutions for the winter holidays will be brought forward. Schools will start closing from this Wednesday, 30 June 2021, and all schools will be expected to be closed by the end of the week, on Friday.
Contact classes at tertiary institutions will end by 30 June 2021, with limited access to the institutions. Residences will however remain open. The Ministers of Basic Education and Higher Education, Science and Innovation will provide further details on these arrangements.

Addo Elephant National Park: Lion relocated to Shamwari Private Game Reserve!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that one of Addo Elephant National Park’s most popular lions has been successfully relocated to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The lion known by some members of the public as Jack is four years old and has pure Kalahari genes. The move forms part of the Carnivore Management Plan of the Frontier Region (the administrative area of the Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra National Parks). This plan aims to restore or mimic the natural social dynamics of lion behaviour that would be found in large conservation systems such as the two million hectare Kruger National Park or three million hectare Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Due to the continued severe drought experienced in Addo Elephant National Park over the past seven years, the lion population will remain small to assist in the recovery of the prey species and predator-prey dynamics in the national park. After Jack’s move, only five lions will remain in Addo's main game viewing area. The removal and reintroduction of male lions into and out of Addo Elephant National Park also plays an important role in preventing inbreeding within this population and therefore aids in maintaining the genetic integrity of its lion population.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve has two prides of lions in their reserve.  It is hoped that Jack will join up with what is known as the Shamwari northern pride.  
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is located 75 km outside Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape.

Time Out: Two streets in South Africa are among the 30 coolest streets in the world!

Time Out, a global media outlet that inspires and enables people to explore and enjoy the best of the city, has just released this year’s Time Out Index. As part of the global survey, Time Out asked 27,000-plus city-dwellers which specific streets they think are the coolest in the world. According to the Time Out Index, 7th Street in Melville, Johannesburg, and Main Road in Kalk Bay, a suburb of greater Cape Town, are among the 30 coolest streets in the world. 7th Street in Melville was named 12. coolest street, while Kalk Bay's Main Road was awarded the number 22 spot. Congrats!

7th Street, Melville, Johannesburg:
"cocktail in hand, a whiff of quality food in the air, the hum of casual diners and street drinkers chatting around you. There’s always a discernible buzz."

• Eat: Xai Xai Lounge (Restaurant)
• Do: Liquid Blue Cocktail Bar (Bar)
• Buy: Amateur artists line the pavement here, selling all sorts of eye-popping artworks.

Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town:
"the dream spot for an afternoon mooch in the sun"

• Do: Brass Bell Restaurants and Pubs (Seafood restaurant)
• Eat: Kalky’s (Fish and chips restaurant)
• Drink: Olympia Café (Deli Restaurant & Bakery Shop)

Time Out's 30 coolest streets in the world:

1. Smith Street, Melbourne
2. Passeig de Sant Joan, Barcelona
3. South Bank, London
4. San Isidro, Havana
5. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
6. Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam
7. Rua Três Rios, São Paulo
8. Haji Lane, Singapore
9. Rua Rodrigues de Faria, Lisbon
10. Calle Thames, Buenos Aires
11. Krizíkova Ulice, Prague
12. 7th Street, Melville, Johannesburg
13. Cat Street, Tokyo
14. 30th Avenue, New York
15. Levinsky Street, Tel Aviv
16. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
17. Gran Vía, Madrid
18. Calle Ocho, Miami
19. King Street, Sydney
20. Rua de Miguel Bombarda, Porto
21. Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City
22. Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town
23. Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
24. Rue Tiquetonne, Paris
25. Mariannenstrase, Berlin
26. Calle José Gálvez, Lima
27. Seaport Boulevard, Boston
28. Jægersborggade, Copenhagen
29. Allen Avenue, Lagos
30. Star Street, Hong Kong
    

Qatar Airways to launch new route to Lusaka and Harare!

The state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, is set to launch a new service to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Lusaka and Harare will become the airline’s fifth and sixth new destination launched in Africa since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Effective 06 August 2021, Qatar Airways will launch a three weekly service on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and RG Mubabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. The new service is scheduled to be operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It will connect passengers in Zambia and Zimbabwe with Qatar Airways’ global network of more than 140 destinations. With the addition of these two new routes the carrier will operate over 100 weekly flights to 27 destinations in Africa.

Flight schedule starting 06 August 2021 (on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays):

• 02:20 Doha (DOH) > 08:50 Lusaka (LUN) QR1455
• 10:20 Lusaka (LUN) > 11:20 Harare (HRE) QR1455
• 18:55 Harare (HRE) > 19:55 Lusaka (LUN) QR1456
• 21:25 Lusaka (LUN) > 05:55+1 Doha (DOH) QR1456

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Emirates: Passenger flights from South Africa to Dubai remain suspended!

According to Emirates' latest travel update (21 June 2021, 11:23 Dubai (GMT+4)), flights from South Africa will remain suspended until 06 July 2021. This in line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Daily passenger flights to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will operate as EK763, however, outbound passenger services on EK 764 remain suspended. Customers who have been to or connected through South Africa in the last 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai. 

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USA: Delta Air Lines to resume flights to South Africa in August 2021! [update]

update (24 June 2021): According to news reports, the South African Government blocked Delta Air Lines from including Cape Town in its route. Read more.

Major US airline Delta Air Lines is planning to return to South Africa in August 2021. However, the airline has changed its initial plans and will not operate a triangular route (Atlanta > Johannesburg > Cape Town > Atlanta). Instead Delta Air Lines will launch a direct service between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 01 August 2021. Between 01 August 2021 and 08 September 2021 the airline will run three weekly return flights to Johannesburg. From 08 September 2021 Delta Air Lines is planning to increase the service to daily flights.

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Germany: Condor delays the resumption of flights to Namibia until 2022! [update]

update (30 June 2021): Condor has released its summer flight schedule 2022. Flights to the long-haul destinations in the airline's flight schedule for summer 2022 (01 May - 31 October 2022) are bookable now. Condor will operate two weekly flights between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, Namibia, on Mondays and Thursdays.

German charter airline Condor just confirmed that it has postponed the resumption of flights to Namibia. The airline initially planned to restart flights between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, Namibia, in May 2021. Condor than moved the launch date to end of June 2021. According to the airline, the service between Frankfurt and Windhoek has now been delayed until May 2022. We'll keep you posted.

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Covid-19: Namibia imposes new prevention restrictions as cases rise!

Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 29th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 15 June 2021 that the existing Public Health Regulations (as of 28 May 2021), which are set to expire on 30 June 2021, are getting amended. The aim of this adjustment is to break the momentum of the Covid-19 pandemic, currently charakterized by "Widespread Communtiy Transmission" in Namibia.
The adjustments have come into force on 16 June 2021, for a period of 14 days until 30 June 2021, are as follows:

• The exit and entry into the Windhoek-Okahandja-Rehoboth Local Authority is restricted. With exception for returning residents; essential service providers in possession of the relevant permit: emergency medical cases and the transportation of human remains to other regions for burial purposes.
• Public gatherings are reduced to 10 persons per event and should not last longer than two hours for indoor events.
• The curfew remains in force countrywide, as per current regulations, from 22:00 to 04:00, daily.
• Face-to-Face teaching and learning for Primary, Secondary schools and Higher Education Institutions including Technical Education Provides, in affected areas, is suspended effective 17 June 2021 to 30 June 2021.
• However, for the rest of Namibia, the Minister of Education, Arts & Culture will announce a "Winter Holiday", with exception for Grades 10, 11 and A-Levels who need to continue Face-to-Face learning in preparation for external examinations.
• All examinations for tertiary students will be undertaken online.
• The sale and purchase of liquor from shebeens and bars is restricted from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday on take-away basis only. The on-site consumption of liquor is prohibited, except at restaurants, guesthouses, hotels and similar establishments where guests reside.
• Gambling houses and night clubs are deemed to be high-risk under the circumstances and will not be permitted to operate. Kapana traders may only operate for take-away and private consumption.
• All contact sports as defined in the regulations are prohibited and no spectators are permitted at live sporting events.
• To make adequate provision for physical distancing and to avoid overloading in motor vehicles, all public transport operators in Namibia may only load passengers to half the capacity of the vehicle.
• With the raise in deaths, Namibia is also experiencing an increase in funerals. The existing protocols for conducting Covid-19 burials is getting maintained - burials are to take place within seven days and the public is urged to serve meals at funerals on take-away basis only.

South Africa: Airlink to resume flights between Nelspruit <> Vilanculos!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the resumption of flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), located located 27 km north east of Nelspruit, and Vilankulo Airport (VNX) in Vilanculos, Mozambique. Effective 02 July 2021, the airline will operate two weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays.
Vilanculos is a popular beach holiday destination in Mozambique and gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. It is renowned for its spectacular beaches, marine life, restaurants, a variety of accommodation options as well as markets for fresh produce, arts and crafts.

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Germany: Eurowings Discover to launch flights between Frankfurt <> Victoria Falls!

Lufthansa Group's leisure airline Eurowings Discover is set to launch a new service to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Effective 30 March 2022, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls via Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, Namibia. Also from 30 March 2022, Eurowings Discover will increase its operations between Frankfurt and Windhoek from five weekly flights to a daily schedule.

• Frankfurt 21:50 > 08:20+1 Windhoek
• Windhoek 09:15 > 11:45 Victoria Falls
• Victoria Falls 15:05 > 17:45 Windhoek
• Windhoek 18:45 > 05:35+1 Frankfurt

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Covid-19: South Africa moves to Alert Level 3 - here are the new restrictions!

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 15 June 2021 that South Africa moves back to Alert Level 3. This due to a third wave of infections with Covid-19 that is currently taking place in the country. According to the President, all provinces of South Africa, except for the Northern Cape, are experiencing rising infections. Four provinces – Gauteng, Free State, North West and Northern Cape – are officially in a third wave, while others are approaching that point. The proportion of Covid-19 tests that are positive – the so-called positivity rate – is continuing to rise in Gauteng, Limpopo, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu- Natal.

In view of the rising infections, the following restrictions are in place in South Africa from today (16 June 2021):

• The hours of curfew start at 22:00 and end at 16:00.
• Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres need to close by 21:00 to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
• All gatherings are limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
• Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
  This includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places.
• Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
• Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.
• The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption is only be permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday. This excludes public holidays.
• Alcohol sales for on-site consumption are permitted as per licence conditions up to 21:00.
• Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly forbidden.

Malawi: Malawi Airlines to resume full network operations from 16 June 2021!

The flag carrier airline of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, has announced that it set to resume full network operations. Effective 16 June 2021, the airline will operate six weekly return flights to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, five weekly return flights to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, five weekly return flights to RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare, three weekly return flights to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam as well as nine domestic flights per week between Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe and Chileka International Airport (BLZ) in Blantyre. 

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South Africa: Airlink to launch flights between Johannesburg <> Entebbe! [update]

update (27 August 2021): Airlink is set to introduce flights between Johannesburg and Entebbe from 19 September 2021.

update (20 July 2021): Airlink has postponed the launch of flights between Johannesburg and Entebbe to 18 August 2021.

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced that it will introduce a new service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Entebbe, Uganda. Effective 19 July 2021, the airline will operate four weekly return flights to Uganda's main international airport. Flight 4Z 190 will depart Johannesburg at 21:15 and arrive in Entebbe at 02:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The return flight (4Z 191) will depart Entebbe at 03:30 and arrive Johannesburg at 07:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Airlink’s fares include a 20kg free economy class checked in luggage allowance plus a 15kg sporting equipment allowance. Onboard, passengers are offered a complimentary light meal, refreshments, generous leg room and a choice of aisle or window seat (flights do not have middle seats).

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Zimbabwe: Air Zimbabwe returns to South Africa!

Zimbabwe's flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, has announced the resumption of flights to South Africa. Effective 16 June 2021, the airline will resume a direct service between RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Air Zimbabwe will initially operate four weekly return flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on board an Embraer ERJ145 to Johannesburg. The airline is planning to increase the frequencies to twice daily flights as well as reintroduce the connection between Johannesburg and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) in Bulawayo.

***TRAVEL UPDATE***@ChronicleZim @HeraldZimbabwe @ZtaUpdates @tourism_council @Airports_Zim @MhonaFelix @MinistryofTID @firstmevitori pic.twitter.com/U63jmJPbzl

— Air Zimbabwe (@FlyAirZimbabwe) June 8, 2021

Johannesburg becomes Air Zimbabwe’s second regional destination with Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, already operational.

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Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

According to the spokesperson of Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Romeo Muyunda, this year's statistics indicate that four white rhinos and one elephant have been poached in the country in the first five month of 2021. The four rhinos all got killed on private farms while the elephant was poached in a conservancy in Namibia's Otjozondjupa region.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world.

Iziko Museums of South Africa: Free entry to select museums on Youth Day!

Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will be offering free entry to select museums in Cape Town on Youth Day (16 June 2021). This includes the Iziko South African Museum, the Iziko South African National Gallery, the Iziko Slave Lodge, the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum, and the Iziko Maritime Centre. All the Museums will be open from 10:00 to 14:30 on Youth Day, and the Iziko South African Museum, Iziko South African National Gallery and Iziko Slave Lodge will have two 90 minute timed-access sessions, at 10:00 and 12:30, with cleaning in between. Please note that there are Covid-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of both staff and visitors.

Iziko Museums of South Africa operates 11 national museums in Cape Town as well as collection-specific libraries, a world-class Social History Archive and the most advanced digital Planetarium and Digital Dome on the African Continent.

Zimbabwe: Air Zimbabwe resumes domestic flights!

Zimbabwe's flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, has announced the resumption of domestic flights. Effective today (02 June 2021), the airline initially resumes its four weekly service on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare > Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) in Bulawayo > Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls > RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Flights depart Harare at 12:00 and Victoria Falls at 14:30.

Our wings are back in the skies as we seek to promote domestic and international tourism as well as facilitating trade.@MinistryofTID @Airports_Zim @FlyAirZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/lQDiFqrnAq

— Felix Tapiwa Mhona (@MhonaFelix) June 1, 2021

Air Zimbabwe initially planned to resume additional flights from 28 March 2021.

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Covid-19: Mozambique is gradually easing restrictive measures!

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi announced in a televised address to the nation on 26 May 2021 the gradual easing of the restrictive measures imposed to combat Covid-19 in the country. Beaches as well as public swimming pools have been reopened; the curfew times, which is in force on all cities in Mozambique, is now between 23:00 and 04:00.  

Current measures also include:

• Commercial establishments in Mozambique are open from 09:00. – 19:00 Monday – Saturday, and 09:00 – 18:00 on Sunday. Restaurants remain open until 21:00 every day.
• Business and work visas are now authorized.
• Religious services, conferences, and meetings resume with a maximum of 75 people for indoor venues and 150 people for outdoor venues.
• Private social events are prohibited throughout Mozambique, except for wedding registrations which may have 20 attendees maximum.
• Government events must not exceed 150 participants.
• Additional safety measures are to be immediately implemented in all public establishments.
• Public and private sector establishments in Mozambique will be held responsible for non-compliance with safety measures.
• The use of a clear plastic face shield does not replace the use of a facemask.
• Recreational and leisure sports and games are prohibited.
• Casinos, museums, theaters, galleries, and similar cultural venues in Mozambique may open up to 40% capacity.
• Large gyms may open to 40% of capacity; small gyms are not authorized to operate.
• Hotel swimming pools in Mozambique may open for the use of hotel guests only.
• The sale of alcoholic beverages by bottle stores, greengrocers or supermarkets is allowed between 09:00 and 17:00 from Monday to Saturday; no alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays or holidays. The sale of alcoholic beverages from stalls is prohibited.
• The beaches are open for swimming and walking only; sunbathing and gatherings are not permitted. Alcohol is not permitted on the beach.
• Public swimming pools may open to 30% capacity.
• The validity of expired documents is extended until 30 June 2021.

These measures are in addition to the prior measures already in place, some of which include:

• All incoming travelers must present a negative test for COVID-19.
• All persons displaying respiratory symptoms or fever must stay home.
• Discos, bars and stalls selling alcoholic beverages will remain closed.
• Teleworking is recommended, in particular for people at higher risk
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