South African National Parks (SANParks): National Parks remain open as per strict level three regulations!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that its National Parks in South Africa will remain open as per the strict amended level three regulations laid out by the South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address on 28 December 2020. In line with the amended regulations all day visitors and overnight guests are still welcome and everyone is encouraged to abide by the regulations when entering any of SANParks' national parks.

According to SANParks Acting CEO Xola Mkefe, at this stage overnight reservations at National Parks where there is controlled access remain unaffected. Opening and closing times of gates as well as some early morning and evening activities may be affected and guests are requested to seek clarity at the National Parks or camps where these bookings may have been made. We'll keep you posted!

Kruger National Park Calendar - February!

Weather:

• much the same as January
• traditionally flood season
• heavy rains can cause rivers to suddenly burst their banks
  

Temperatures:

• between 18°C - 33°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 33°C = [(33x9)]/5 + 32 = 91.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!
  

 Landscape:

• plants at their most nutrtious
• large vleis (shallow seasonal or intermittent lakes) on the basalt plain
• many aloes in flower
  

Animal Activity:

• large herds of grazers spread across the Eastern Grasslands
• many nursery herds (protected by matriachs or alpha males)
• breading season for Waterbucks
• loads of bird activity around the flowering aloes

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Covid-19: South Africa moves back to an "adjusted" level 3 lockdown! [update]

update (30 December 2020): Click here to download the Government Gazette regarding the amended Disaster Management Act, 2002

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the nation on 28 December 2020 and has confirmed that South Africa returns to an adjusted level 3 lockdown. According to the President, this step has been taken by the Cabinet of South Africa on the recommendation of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCC), and after consultation with provinces and metro mayors. Several of the level 3 regulations are being strengthened to further limit the potential for transmission, while doing everything possible to keep the economy open. The new measures became effective at midnight on 28 December 2020.

Under the adjusted level 3 regulations:

• Alcohol sales from retail outlets are not permitted
• On-site consumption of alcohl is not permitted
• No consumption of alcohol in public spaces, including parks and beaches
• Extended curfew from 21:00 to 06:00
• Apart from permitted workers, no person may be outside their place of residence during curfew
• Non-essential establishments must close at 20:00
• The following establishments must close at 20:00: cinemas; theatres; casinos; museums; galleries and archives; gyms and fitness centres; restaurants; venues hosting auctions; venues hosting professional sport.
  
• The following businesses and venues are closed to the public: night clubs; swimming pools (except for professional training); bars; taverns and shebeens; public parks, including facilities there, where there is no access control; beaches, parks and dams in hotspot areas.
  
• Every person must wear a mask in public
• Drivers and operators of any form of public transport must ensure that all passengers wear a mask
• The manager or owner of a building, place or premises (including a retail store) must ensure that all customers wear a mask
• An employer must ensure that all employees wear a mask while they perform their duties
• Every business premises must determine the maximum numer of staff and customers permitted at any one time while maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres between people.
• Health protocols must be observed at gatherings, including maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres between people.
• All gatherings, including faith-based gatherings are prohibited for 14 days. This includes political and traditional council events.
• Gatherings for the purposes of work are permitted, but need to follow strict social distancing measures.
• Cinemas, theatres, casinos, museums, libraries, sporting grounds, restaurants and auctions are allowed to continue operating, but are limited to 50 people or less indoors and 100 people or less outdoors, and are subject to the same strict social distancing measures.
• At no point can the number of people exceed 50% of a venue’s capacity, if it is too small to take 50 people.
• Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts and resorts are allowed to take full capacity of available rooms for accommodation, with social distancing measures in place.
• Supermarkets, shops, stores and pharmacies are limited only to 50% of floor space.
• Bus and taxi services may not carry more than 70% capacity for long-distance travel (>200km), and may carry 100% capacity for any other trip.
  
• Sport events, both professional and non-professional are allowed, but must follow the new regulations which include:
• No spectators are allowed to attend matches
• Only the required number of players, match officials and support staff are allowed
• Journalists, TV crews, security personnel, emergency services and venue employees are allowed at the venue
• International events may only be held with teams from low or medium risk countries
• Any other directions issued by the sport or health minister

The Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021. These measures will be reviewed at that time on the basis of the state of the pandemic in South Africa.

Following a review of the latest available data on infections and hospitalisations, and consultations with affected provinces, South Africa's Cabinet has decided that the following further areas be declared coronavirus hotspots:

• In the Eastern Cape: Chris Hani District, Buffalo City, Amathole District, Alfred Nzo District and the OR Tambo District. These are in addition to Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Sarah Baartman District.
• In KwaZulu-Natal: eThekwini, Umgungundlovu District, Ugu District, Harry Gwala District, King Cetshwayo District and Ilembe District.
• In Gauteng: West Rand District, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg
• In the Western Cape: West Coast District, Overberg District, Winelands District, Cape Town, Central Karoo District. This is in addition to the Garden Route District.
• In the North West: Bojanala District
• In Limpopo: Waterberg District and the Capricorn District 

Namibia: New amendments to the Public Health Covid-19 regulations!

Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, has announced during a Covid-19 briefing on 23 December 2020, that the Government of Namibia has amended the measures to address the second Covid-19 wave. According to the Minister, the following amendments are getting introduced to the Public Health Regulations, which were gazetted and came into force on 16 December 2020. These nrew measures take effect today, the 23 December 2020 at 23:59 until the 13 January 2021 at 24:00.

• Public gatherings
  Public gatherings will be limited to a maximum of fifty (50) persons per event. Organizers or hosts of public gatherings shall keep Registers of attendance, recording names and contact numbers. The organisers must ensure that attendees sanitize their hands, wear masks properly and maintain a distance of not less than 1.5 meters.
• Restriction of movement
  Restriction of movement is imposed between 21:00 and 04:00 for the duration of this period until the 13 January 2021.
• Sale of alcohol
  Sale of alcohol and trading hours operations for on-site consumption (shebeens, bars, nightclubs, gambling houses, casinos and restaurants) is allowed from 09:00-20:00 Mondays to Saturdays. No sale of alcohol is allowed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
• Compulsory correct wearing of face masks
  Wearing of face mask is compulsory for all persons when in public places, including in vehicles, aircraft and other means of public transport. 
• Business premises and operations
  All businesses, including informal markets, are required to ensure that all their patrons or persons present in their premises sanitize their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitisers, alternatively, they wash their hands with soap and water.
  

• Burial of Persons who succumb to COVID 19
  The period within which the human remains of persons whose deaths are attributed to Covid-19 is revised from 72 hours to seven days. This is in keeping with our commitment to ensure that families are able to mourn and give their loved ones dignified burials. Such burials must be conducted in line with strict requirements for effective infection control and prevention in order to reduce the risk of infection.
• Validity period of Covid-19 PCR test results for travel purposes
  It has been a requirement that to be allowed entry into the country, non-Namibian travellers should present a negative COVID 19 test result that is not older than 72 hours. The period of 72 hours is reckoned from the time the sample was taken. This period of validity is now extended to a period of seven days.
• Penalties
  The Public and Environmental Health Act makes provision for stiff penalties in the event of a transgression of its provisions. The maximum penalty under this Act is N$100 000 or 10 years imprisonment. The Minister of Justice will elaborate on this aspect. 

Zambia: Royal Zambian Airlines has launched flights between Lusaka <> Johannesburg!

Zambian airline Royal Zambian Airlines, a subsidiary of Zambian charter specialist Royal Air Charters, has launched scheduled direct flights between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 17 December 2020. The airline operates four weekly return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays on board an 50 seater Embraer 145 LR.
Royal Zambian Airlines is a scheduled air carrier that was officially incorporated in May 2020. It functions as a department within Royal Air Charters (established in July of 2007), which itself functions as Royal Zambian Airlines' parent company. The airline currently operates one twin jet engine Embraer 145 LR, which is supported by a 30-seater twin-turboprop Embraer 120 ER.

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Malawi closes all land borders for two weeks to fight the rising cases of Covid-19!

Malawi's Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 yesterday (22 December 2020) announced that for the next two weeks (until 06 January 2021?), all of Malawi's land borders are closed except for "essential services". According to the country's Minister of Health, Khumbite Kandodo Chiponda, Malawi allows the entry of deported Malawians from mainly South Africa and those who left the country for business-related reasons. The international airports in Malawi remain open with more strict measures to ensure that all people flying in are Covid-19 negative. Public gatherings in Malawi, such as religious gatherings or football matches, have also been restricted to a maximum of 100 people for the next 2 weeks.

Rwanda introduces new tourism-related Covid-19 prevention measures!

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in Rwanda's economy, has announced that the Government of Rwanda has introduced new tourism-related Covid-19 prevention measures.

• All guests staying at various hotels in Rwanda are required to present a negative SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or Antigen Rapid Covid-19 test.
• International tourists entering Rwanda are required to take another Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival which is valid for 120 hours. They are required to take a rapid test after this period elapses.
• Tourists visiting Rwanda's National Parks are required to present a negative SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test with the exception of Akagera National Park where a negative Antigen Rapid Test result for Covid-19 is accepted.
• The cost of the Rapid Antigen Test for Covid-19 is Rwf 10,000 and results are available within 15 minutes after a test is taken. The cost of the  Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is Rwf 50,000.
• All hotel properties in Rwanda are required to check for tests results before checking in guests.

Airlink to launch flights between Cape Town <> Harare!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to launch a service between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Effective 18 January 2021, the airline will operate four weekly return flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Airlink's north-bound flights will depart from Cape Town during the mid-morning, with the south-bound flight leaving Harare in the mid-afternoon.

• Cape Town 10:35 > 13:50 Harare on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
• Harare 4:30 > 18:10 Cape Town on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
  

Airlink's fares include a 20kg free economy class checked in luggage allowance plus a 15kg sporting equipment allowance. Onboard, the airlline offers a complimentary light meal and refreshments.

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South Africa: Update on the current lockdown level 1 restrictions!

South Africa's Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has published a new Government Gazette (Vol. 666 No. 44009, 17 December 2020) which provides further clarity around South Africa's new lockdown rules for the festive season 2020/21 (also see Government Gazette Vol. 666 No. 43997, 15 December 2020).
Hotels, lodges, bed & breakfasts, timeshare facilites, resorts and guest houses are allowed full capacity of the available rooms for accommodation, with patrons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other when in common spaces. Conferencing, dining, entertainment and bar facilities are subject to a limitation of a maximum of 100 persons or less in case of an indoor gathering and 250 persons or less in case of an outdoor gathering. Loud music, whether live or otherwise, is prohibited.

Registered wineries and wine farms are allowed to continue to operate in offering wine-tastings and selling of wine to the public for off-site consumption, subject to strict adherence to the curfew and adherence to social distancing measures and health protocols.
In hotspot areas (Sarah Baartman District, Garden Route District and Nelson Mandela Bay), the closing time for the following establishments, wether indoors or outdoors, is 21:00 daily:

• Faith-based institutions
• Venues where social events are hosted
• Venues hosting concerts and five performances
• Cinemas
• Theatres
• Casinos
• Museums, galleries and archives
• Gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools
• Restaurants, bars, taverns, shebeens and similar establishments
• Venues hosting sport, arts and culture activities
• Any other place where a gathering may take place

British Airways to suspend flights between London <> Durban!

The flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, British Airways, is set to suspend direct flights to 13 destinations worldwide, including Durban in South Africa, as it trims its schedules due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The airline will discontinue flights between the UK and the following destinations from 28 March 2021: Durban (South Africa), Pittsburg (US), Charleston (US), Calgary (Canada), Lima (Peru), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Osaka (Japan), Seoul (Republic of Korea), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Muscat (Oman). British Airways will also stop serving the Seychelles on 24 April 2021, and flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on 30 April 2021. Flights to Sydney in Australia and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates will be restored at the end of October 2021 along with flights to San Jose in the United States.

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Eastern Cape: Addo Elephant National Park implements the amended level 1 lockdown restrictions! [update]

update (18 December 2020): The Management of Addo Elephant National Park has announced that, after many deliberations, it has decided to re-open Jack's Picnic Site and the one at Main Camp. Guests are uged to adhere to all necessary Covid-19 protocols at all times.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that guests to Addo Elephant National Park outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape are temporarily not allowed to braai or picnic in the Park. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa`s latest announcemenet (14 December 2020) to help curb the resurgence of Covid-19. This specifically applies to the ever-popular Jack`s Picnic Site inside the game viewing area of Addo Elephant National Park and the picnic area at the Main Camp. The ablution blocks at Jack`s will remain open. In addition, open safari vehicles for game-viewing can only load 50 percent of the allowed capacity. These measures prevail from the 16 December 2020 to the 15 January 2021.

KwaZulu-Natal: iSimangaliso Weltland Park implements the amended level 1 lockdown restrictions!

The management of iSimangaliso Weltland Park in South Africa's province of KwaZulu-Natal introduces several measures to meet the tighter level 1 lockdown restrictions, which became effective in the country on 14 December 2020. Between today (16 December 2020) and 03 January 2021, the following measures apply:

• The management of iSimangaliso Weltland Park strictly enforces upper limits of 250 people for outdoors activities, as per regulations, in all of its facilities.
• All overnight guests and concessionaires within iSimangaliso Weltland Park are allowed to operate within the constraints of the regulations.
• Roadblocks are conducted at various points across the iSimangaliso Weltland Park to enforce compliance.
• No alcohol is allowed within iSimangaliso Weltland Park and control points are in place.
• No vehicles are permitted to enter iSimangaliso Weltland Park if occupants are not wearing face masks and adhere to all health protocols.
• All visitors and guests to the iSimangaliso Weltland Park are subjected to temperature tests, and based on the results the management reserves the right to refuse entry.

 

Namibia: New amendments to the Public Health Covid-19 regulations!

Namibia's President Dr. Hage G. Geingob has announced a number of amendments to the Public Health Covid-19 regulations in Namibia during a public briefing on the national COVID-19 response measures on 16 December 2020. The amendments are recommended to implementation with effect from 23:59 on 16 December 2020, for a period of 14 days, until 30 December 2020.

• Bars, nightclubs, casinos and all restaurants are to close for business at 22:00, Monday to Sunday. All indoor dining tables must be arranged two meters apart.
• The number of public gatherings is reduced from the current limit of two hundred to a maximum of fifty persons indoors and a maximum of on hundred outdoors, at a time. It is a requirement that conveners of such gatherings keep registers of attendees at each gathering, record body temperatures of attendees in such registers and provide facilities for guests to wash their hands with soap or to sanitise their hands. Physical distancing of no less than 1.5 meters between persons must be maintained at all times.
• Public passenger transportation: all drivers and passengers have to wear face masks throughout the entire trip/journey
• The Government of Namibia will intensify the enforcement of the correct wearing of facemasks in all public settings.
• The Government of Namibia has directed the Law Enforcement Agencies to deploy personell and ensure compliance with the public health measures in public places.

Western Cape: CapeNature implements the amended Alert Level 1 regulations!

CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced that the picnic areas and hiking trails in its Nature Reserves will remain open during Alert Level 1, while access to the beaches in Robberg Nature Reserve and Goukamma Nature Reserve will temporarily close from today until further notice. The closure excludes access to fishermen, with a valid fishing permit.  This comes after South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced tighter level 1 lockdown restrictions nationwide on 14 December 2020.
In addition, picnic and day visitor facilities in CapeNature's reserves in the Western Cape  operate at a reduced carrying capacity from today. Beaches in Nature Reserves managed by CapeNature outside of the Garden Route have a strict opening time of 09:00 and closing time of 18:00.
CapeNature also implements ad hoc daily patrols and check points in partnership with local municipalities and law enforcement. All visitors entering a controlled CapeNature reserve entrance gate will be subjected to a screening process upon arrival.

Limpopo: The Waterberg Living Museum has been reopened!

The Waterberg Living Museum in Limpopo has been reopened today. The Museum, which is combination of a living classroom, a natural & cultural history museum, an exhibit of living creatures, and a botanical garden, only opened its doors to the public in January 2020 and was forced to close at the end of March 2020 due the coronavirus pandemic. The Waterberg Living Museum provides an enriching educational experience to visitors of all ages, particularly the youth, by bringing together the past and the present through established and conserved living, organic and anthropomorphic collections. There is no cost for entrance to the main complex of the Waterberg Living Museum, which includes the Livingstone Lounge Restaurant & Tea Garden, curio shop and ablution facilities. However, self-guided tours cost R75/person for adults, R50 for pensioners R35/person for children (children under the age of six: free entry). Guided tours are also available. They take place at 10:30 and 14:00 and cost R150/person for adults, R100/person for pensioners and R70/person for children. The Waterberg Living Museum is open from 10:00 - 17:00 from Tuedays to Saturdays and from 10:00 - 13:00 on Sundays. It is located about 25 km out of the town of Vaalwater on the Melkrivier/Marken road.

Cape Town: The Robben Island Museum is offering a special rate for South Africans!

The Robben Island Museum (RIM) on Cape Town's Robben Island is commemerating Reconciliation Day and celebrating 21 years as an UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as its first anniversary as a Marine Protected Area by offering all South Africans a 25% discount on adult tickets. The offer starts today and will be available until 15 January 2020. To meet the rising demand on tickets, RIM has reintroduced the full seven-day-a-week schedule with a limited tour frequency.

 

According to RIM spokesperson Morongoa Ramaboa, all necessary Covid-19 protocols as recommended by the National Command Council (NCC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) have been put in place. RIM's Covid-19 response plan is in line with the risk adjusted strategy as advised by South Africa's Government and will be amended as and when necessary to meet minimum requirements as far as the tourism secor is concerned.

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.

Covid-19: South African National Parks to introduce stricter safety measures for Garden Route National Park during the festive season!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that stricter measures to curb infections with Covid-19 will be introduce for all three sections - Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness - of the Garden Route National Park during this festive season. According to Vuyiswa Thabethe, General Manager for the Garden Route region of SANParks, the following measures will apply effective 16 December 2020: 

• A quota system will be implemented at all entrance gates in the Garden Route National Park in Tsitsikamma, Wilderness and Knysna. 
• Popular areas like Island Lake, Tarentaal and the Half-collard Kingfisher Trail will have a quota system, restricting the number of people entering the facilities.
• The Wilderness Lagoon area (Touw River Mouth), closer to the Wilderness beach, will be closed completely from the 15th of December 2020 to the 15th of January 2021. 
• Other controlled access areas in Wilderness include those leading to Big trees like Krisjian se Nek, Dalene Matthee memorial and popular picnic spots. Visitors will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The Knysna estuary will remain open for water-based commercial tourism activities, recreational fishing and bait collecting (in allowed zones) as well as recreational water activities. 
• Knysna Estuary users are requested to comply with the required Covid-19 prevention protocols, including social distancing, regular sanitising and use of masks. 
• All permitted commercial operators on the Knysna estuary have signed COVID-19 declaration protocols to confirm they comply with all the necessary COVID-19 prevention protocols and hence provide a safe and enjoyable experience for guests.
• Knysna estuary users are requested to comply with the required vessel capacity, both in terms of safety regulations and in terms of COVID-19 prevention regulations to ensure recreational use of the estuary does not become one of the sources of infections.
• All hiking and cycling trails in Garden Route National Park remain open and will implement a quota system.
• Picnic areas in Garden Route National Park that do not have an entrance gate will remain closed.
• Vessel and boat permits, activity permits and other recreational permits are available at Park reception areas on Thesen Island office (Knysna), Ebb & Flow Rest Camp in Wilderness and de Vasselot camp in Natures Valley.
• Visitors are reminded to always be in possession of a valid permit to avoid a fine being issued.
• Fishing and bait collection permits can only be purchased from the South African Post Office (SAPO) during official operating hours. 
• Annual or Seasonal Vessel Permits can be bought from the Thesen Island office (Knysna) Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00 and Saturdays 08:00 - 13:00, only.
• Cycling permits (annual, monthly, family and daily permits) can be obtained from the Garden of Eden, Harkerville Office or Diepwalle Office.
  

South African Airways and Scandinavian Airlines have terminated their codeshare agreement!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), and the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), have terminated their codeshare agreement with effect from 10 December 2020. South African Airways is providing assistance only to ticketed passengers holding a South African Airways' ticket in case the ticket was issued on/before 10 December 2020. Customers holding such ticket will be offered the value of the unused sectors (coupons) as a credit for future travel. The credit can be used within the next 24 months from 10 December 2020. The reissued/reroute request and all travel must be completed on/before 10 December 2022. Refunds are not be applicable.

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South Africa: South African Airways domestic & regional flights will remain suspended in January 2021!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways, has announced that due to the continuing impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing business rescue process domestic and regional routes will remain cancelled for the month of January 2021. In a statement released by the airline on 14 December 2020 it said that assistance will be provided to all ticketed passengers holding a South African Airways’ ticket. The announcement (SAA Travel Advice Number 27) is applicable to tickets issued on/before 25 March 2020 and subsequent tickets issued up to and including 31 January 2021. Due to the cancellation of the flights operated by South African Airways, customers will be able to use the value of the unused ticket or remaining coupon to issue a credit note/voucher for future travel. The airline's no refunds policy remains in force.

South Africa: Tougher Coronavirus COVID-19 Alert level 1 restrictions this festive season

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced tighter level 1 lockdown restrictions nationwide, with effect from midnight on 14 December 2020. This as South Africa enters the festive season amid a second wave of rising COVID-19 infections. These festive season restrictions will be reviewed in early January 2021 based on the state of the pandemic across the country. As of 14 December 2020, South Africa's cumulative number of cases of Covid-19 stands at 866,127, edging closer to the 900 000 mark. President Ramaphosa announced the following restrictions:

• Beaches and public parks in the Eastern Cape and in the Garden Route district in the Western Cape will be closed for the duration of the festive season from 16 December 2020 to 03 January 2021.
• In KwaZulu-Natal, beaches and public parks will be closed on 16, 25, 26 & 31 December 2020 and on 01 - 03 January 2021.
• The beaches and public parks of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape – with the exception of the Garden Route – will remain open to the public over the festive season.
• Festivals, live music, and live performances at beaches are prohibited countrywide.
• Beaches and parks that are open to the public will only be open between 09:00 and 18:00.
• Ramaphosa also said: "In instances, where there are large crowds or poor compliance with safety measures, specific beaches and recreational parks will be closed".

• The new curfew is starting countrywide at 23:00 and ending at 04:00.
• Hours of curfew will also apply to Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
• Non-essential establishments, including restaurants and bars, will have to close at 22:00 so that staff and patrons can get home before the enforcement of the curfew.

• The sale of alcohol from retail outlets will only be permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday.
• Registered wineries and wine farms may continue to offer tastings and wine sales to the public for off-site consumption over weekends.
• Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly forbidden.

• Gatherings – including religious gatherings – may not be attended by more than 100 people for indoor events and 250 for outdoor events.
• The total number of people in a venue may not exceed more than 50% of the capacity of the venue.
• Due to the potential for transmission, all post-funeral gatherings, including ‘after-tears’ parties, are prohibited.

• Under the tighter level 1 restrictions, drivers and operators of any form of public transport must ensure that all passengers wear a mask.
• Managers or owners of buildings, places or premises – including retail stores, shopping centres, and government buildings – are obliged by law to ensure that all customers who enter their facilities or buildings wear a mask.
• Responsible individuals who do not ensure compliance with the regulations by their passengers, customers or employees will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment of up to six months.

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.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: The JKIA Express Service now connects the airport with Nairobi's CBD!

Kenya Railways, the national railway of Kenya, has commissioned the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Express Service (JKIA Express Service) on 08 December 2020. The new service connects the Nairobi Central Railway Station in Nairobi's central business district with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), which is located in the Embakasi suburb about 20 km southeast of Nairobi's central business district.
The JKIA Express Service is an extension of the Nairobi commuter rail service targeting air travellers and airport users. According to Kenya Railways the JKIA Express Service will take 20 minutes from Nairobi Central Railway Station to Embakasi Railway Station and a further 10 minutes connection using the Nairobi Commuter Rail bus to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Tickets cost Sh500/person.

South Africa: Cross-border travel inside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is currently not permitted! [update]

update (25 January 2021): According to SANParks, travellers in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are able to access the Botswana side of the Park provided you enter and exit at Twee Rivieren again.

According to South African National Parks (SANParks) Regional Communications Manager: Arid Parks Genevieve Maasdorp, all non-designated border posts in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park as well as the Twee Rivieren Border Post (South Africa/Botswana) and the Mata Mata Border Post (South Africa/Namibia) remain closed until further notice. It is also not permitted to cross the border between South Africa and Botswana inside the National Park. This includes travelling from South African campsites/chalets to campsites/chalets in Botswana or making use of the cross border 4x4 trails in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The nearest border post open to enter Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park between South Africa and Namibia is the Nakop/Ariamsvlei Border Post via Upington.

South Africa: Six airports have received ACI's Airport Health Accreditation! [update]

update (21 December 2020): Kimberley Airport (KIM) in Kimberley also received the Airport Health Accreditation by by the Airports Council International (ACI).

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced that six of its nine airports in South Africa have received the Airport Health Accreditation by by the Airports Council International (ACI). The airports that received this accreditation are Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth, Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein, Upington International Airport (UTN) in Upington and East London Airport (ELS) in East London.

The ACI's Airport Health Accreditation programme recognizes the commitment to health and welfare of passengers, airport staff, and the public, by supporting airports in assessing the new health measures and procedures introduced further to the Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART) recommendations along with industry best practices. It is designed to help reassure the travelling public that airport facilities remain safe and that precautions are being taken to reduce any risk to their health.

Airports Council International (ACI) is the only global trade representative of the world's airport authorities. It is a non profit organization, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations. 

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Festive season 2020/21: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park from 16 December 2020 until 26 January 2021. Through the day visitor quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival and there are three time slots which they can choose from as follows:

• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. 

src.: SANParks

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R48 per adult and R24 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The conservation fee for South African residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R105 per adult and R52 per child (between ages 2 - 11). For nationals of Eswatini (previously Swaziland) and other SADC countries, the conservation fees are R210 per adult and R105 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R424 for adults and R212 for children applies.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure the membership is valid before arrival
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver's license, identity document or passport) please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry.
• Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the Kruger National Park.