South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the launch of flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and George Airport (GRJ) in George, the second largest city in the Western Cape and the capital city of the Garden Route. Effective 11 August 2021, the airline will operate four weekly direct flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 07:00 and arrive in George at 09:00, while the return flights will depart George at 09:30 and arrive in Johannesburg at 11:15.
31 July 2021
Covid-19: Namibia lifts domestic travel restrictions and cuts the validity of PCR test results!
Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 32nd Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 30 July 2021 that the following regulations will come into force for a period of 14 days from 01 August 2021 until midnight on 14 August 2021. The previous set of measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in Namibia expires at midnight today (31 July 2021).
- The travel restrictions in Namibia are hereby lifted, permitting the resumption of travel between regions, without a permit, countrywide. The public is however urged to strengthen public health measures at personal and community levels.
- Public Gatherings as defined in the Regulations have been adjusted to fifty (50) persons per event. Any public gathering should not last for more than two hours.
- The curfew in Namibia will remain in force from 22:00 to 04:00 daily.
- Education:
- All schools in Namibia are to resume face-to-face teaching and learning on 04 August 2021, with strengthened Infection Prevention and Control measures in place.
- Grades 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to resume face to face teaching and learning on full- time basis, daily.
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres and lower primary grades may resume, but are required to operate in cohorts/shifts.
- The management of educational institutions must ensure the safety of the school environment for employees, learners and students.
- Restrictions related to liquor: The sale of liquor in Namibia remains restricted, on take-away basis between 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, except for those hospitality establishments that have resident guests.
- Business operations:
- All food establishments (restaurants, kapana traders and food vendors) in Namibia may resume on-site meals, subject to compliance with Health & Safety Protocols.
- Businesses deemed to be high-risk, such as Gyms and Sports Clubs remain closed;.
- Spas, Salons and beauty parlours remain open, subject to adherence to mandatory face masks and maintaining physical distance of no less than 1.5 meters.
- Indoor/Outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds may resume operations, subject to adherence to Health & Safety Protocols; and Motor Vehicle Passenger Restrictions remain in force, loading public transport vehicles at half capacity, including for tour operators and shuttle services.
- Burials: due to COVID-19 must take place within a period of ten (10) days, all the current burial related regulations remain in force.
- Test results upon entry into Namibia: The validity of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results will be reduced from seven (7) days to seventy-two (72) hours for all travellers, to safeguard the country. Namibians arriving with a de-isolation certificate within a period of three (3) months will be allowed entry, and not be subject to quarantine.
30 July 2021
South Africa: CemAir to launch flights between Cape Town <> Durban!
South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. Effective 04 August 2021, the airline will operate five weekly frequencies on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights will depart Cape Town at 10:30 and arrive in Durban at 12:30, while the return flight will depart Durban at 13:00 and arrive in Cape Town at 15:00.
Malawi: African Wild Dogs return to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve!
Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in cooperation with African Parks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has succesfully reintroduced 14 African Wild Dogs from South Africa and Mozambique to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve*. A pack of eight animals were released into bomas in Liwonde National Park and a pack of six into bomas in Majete Wildlife Reserve, where they will remain for several weeks, allowing them to adjust to the new conditions before being fully released into the wider park areas. Each pack has been fitted with a mix of satellite and radio collars to facilitate the continual monitoring of their location and habitat use and ensure their long-term protection in the parks. According to Cole du Plessis, coordinator of EWT's Wild Dog Range Expansion Project, there have been no stable established packs of African Wild Dogs in Malawi for more than 20 years, possibly since the 1980s. [src.]
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| All dogs safely released into their temporary boma to acclimatise after translocation, Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi © Matt Moon |
The African Wild Dogs were sourced from Gorongosa National Park and Karingani Game Reserve in Mozambique, and Somkhanda Community Game Reserve and Maremani Nature Reserve in South Africa.
*African Parks manages Liwonde and Majete protected areas in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).
Kruger National Park: SANParks beefs up security to counter the effects of rhino poaching!
South African National Parks (SANParks) and security partners in the Greater Kruger Region are jointly implementing a range of interventions as part of an integrated wildlife management approach to counter the effects of wildlife crime in Kruger National Park; in particular rhino poaching. According to SANParks, Kruger National Park has implemented a range of integrated management actions to minimise the impact of rhino poaching such as:
- Strategic dehorning of rhino in certain core areas of Kruger National Park.
- Strengthening security measures by deploying more South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) patrols to conduct random stop and search operations within Kruger National Park.
- Specialised radar, airborne and other detection technologies to even track poachers on foot.
- Highly trained tracker dogs and hounds to track suspected poachers in the bush.
- Continue to brief the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on the state of wildlife crime. It has been established that the loss of a rhino cow has a compound effect since it also includes the loss of a dependant calf and future calves. The compound effect is part of various factors that affect the population growth of rhinos apart from the immediate disruptive effect of poaching. The cows are extremely important for the overall population performance and need to be protected by introducing stiffer sentences in incidents where they have been poached for their horn and a calf is left destitute.
"These measures are not new in the fight against the scourge of poaching but we are intensifying them to render the incursions ineffective and counter the infiltration of our Rangers Corps by criminal syndicates. The courts have imposed stiff sentences in recent trials which is welcome as it shows the seriousness of the crimes and the threat posed by the criminal syndicates to the fauna and flora of South Africa." (Managing Executive of Kruger National Park, Gareth Coleman)
Kruger National Park Calendar - September!
Weather:
- it is spring time in the park
- fresh mornings & warm to hot days
- it can get pretty cold at night
- occasional showers
- pretty unpredictable weather patterns
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!
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| Photo by David Tomaseti on Unsplash |
Landscape:
- first green shoots
- spring flush depending on rain
- new mopane growth with red-tinged leaves
- good spring indicator: purple flowers of tree wisteria
Animal Activity:
- game still concentrated around watering holes etc.
- migrant birds begin arriving
- elephants are coming south from their winter feeding grounds in the north
29 July 2021
South Africa: Emirates again extends the route suspension!
According to Emirates' travel update, the airline has further extended its South Africa route suspension. In line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), flights to South Africa now remain suspended until 07 August 2021. 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.
28 July 2021
South Africa: FlySafair to launch flights between Cape Town <> Bloemfontein!
South African low-cost airline FlySafair has announced the launch of flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein. Effective 30 July 2021, the airline will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Weekday flights will depart Cape Town at 07:00 and arrive in Bloemfontein at 08:35, while the return flights will depart Bloemfontein at 09:15 and arrive in Cape Town at 10:50. Flights on Sundays will depart Cape Town at 11:15 and arrive in Bloemfontein at 12:50, while the return flights will depart Bloemfontein at 13:30 and arrive in Cape Town at 15:05.
Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe re-opens the Victoria Falls border post & Kazungula border post for vaccinated travellers!
The Zimbabwean Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, has announced during a post-Cabinet briefing on 27 July 2021 that the Victoria Falls border post (Zimbabwe <> Zambia) and the Kazungula border post (Zimbabwe <> Botswana) have re-opened for fully vaccinated travellers in a move aimed at reviving the tourism sector. The decision to re-open the two land border crossings was in response to a request by the tourism industry. The Minister further said that this is in view of the realisation that over 60% of the population [64,4% of the targeted population] in Victoria Falls has been vaccinated. However, the Cabinet also agreed to retain the current level four lockdown Covid-19 control measures introduced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to contain the the third wave of the pandemic.
South Africa: CemAir to introduce flights between Johannesburg <> Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ | Port Elizabeth International Airport) in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Effective 30 July 2021, the airline will operate five weekly return flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays on board a Dash Q400 with 78 seats.
- Johannesburg 08:40 > 10:30 Gqeberha
- Gqeberha 11:10 > 13:00 Johannesburg
Namibia and Russia scrap visa requirements!
According to TASS, largest Russian news agency, the Governments of Namibia and Russia have agreed on the mutual abolishment of visa requirements. The agreement, which was already signed in April 2021, comes into effect from 02 August 2021. It allows citizens of the Russian Federation to enter Namibia and stay there without visas for 90 days every 180 days, unless their purpose of their entry is labor, education or permanent residence in the country. The same rights are granted to the citizens of Namibia when visiting the Russian Federation.
Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!
Rhino and elephant poaching continues to significantly decline this year in Namibia. According to the latest figures released by the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, nine rhinos have been illegally killed by hunters in Namibia so far in 2021. This is the lowest number in eight years for the period. Four elephants have been killed this way, a five-year low.
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.
27 July 2021
South Africa: Mango temporarily suspends all operations until further notice!
South African low-cost airline Mango, a subsidiary of South Africa's state-owned flag carrier South African Airways (SAA), has confirmed that the its services and all flights are temporarily suspended from today, 27 July 2021 until further notice due to outstanding payments to Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Ltd (ATNS). Senior management and Mango's shareholder are currently in emergency discussions to find a solution. The airline plans to resume normal operations as soon as possible.
Affected passengers with valid and available contact details will be informed via Email and SMS accordingly. Customers are also urged to contact the airline to deal with cancellations and voucher related matters specifically. Issued vouchers will be valid for 24 months. We'll keep you posted!
Compensation for flight delay or cancellation >>
also read: South Africa: Mango to be placed into business rescue! >>
26 July 2021
South Africa: Mango to be placed into business rescue!
South African low-cost airline Mango, a subsidiary of South Africa's state-owned flag carrier South African Airways (SAA), has confirmed that it will be placed into business rescue. The decision was taken by the airline's board and the Government of South Africa, while consultation with labour groups is currently underway. However, according to the Mango's acting CEO, Mr William Ndlovu, as of now operations will continue according to the airline's operating schedule. The details of the decision to place Mango into business rescue are still being finalised by all stakeholders. We'll keep you posted!
Zimbabwe: Fastjet is now operating daily flights between Harare <> Johannesburg!
Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has increased the number of flights between Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa. The airline now offers daily return flights to Johannesburg. Flights depart Harare at 12:00 and arrive in Johannesburg at 13:45, while the return flight departs Johannesburg at 14:15 and arrives in Harare at 15:55.
Covid-19: South Africa moves back to Adjusted Alert Level 3! [update]
update (26 July 2021): South Africa's Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has published a government gazette which moves the country to Adjusted Alert Level 3 as announced by the President on 25 July 2021.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 25 July 2021 that based on the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, and inputs from the President's Coordinating Council, the Cabinet has decided to move South Africa from Adjusted Alert Level 4 to Adjusted Alert Level 3. This means that:
- The hours of curfew stay the same, starting at 22:00 and end at 04:00.
- Interprovincial travel for leisure may resume.
- Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened. These establishments need to close by 21:00 to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
- Gatherings are allowed but 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% of the capacity of the venue may be used.
- Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings.
- The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, 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 and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
- The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption is permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday.
- Alcohol sales for on-site consumption is permitted as per licence conditions up to 20:00.
- Schools re-open on 26 July 2021, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by South Africa's Minister of Basic Education.
It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces.
The owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks.
They must also ensure that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place and are adhered to.
It is important to remember that it is a criminal offence if the number of people on these premises exceeds the maximum number of customers or employees allowed.
22 July 2021
Six destinations in Southern & East Africa made it to list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places 2021"!
The famous Time Magazine, an American weekly news magazine and news website, has released its third annual list of the "World's 100 Greatest Places". To compile this list, the magazine solicited nominations of places - including countries, regions, cities and towns - from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. Six destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa have been selected by Time Magazine to be featured on the list of the "World's Greatest Places 2021". These are the Bazaruto Archipelago and the Chimanimani National Park in Mozambique, Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Botswana's Okavango Delta as well as Lake Kivu in Rwanda. Congratulations!
16 July 2021
Covid-19: Namibia extends the current Public Health Regulations until 31 July 2021!
Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 31st Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 31 July 2021 that the existing Public Health Regulations (as of 30 June 2021) remain in force. The Cabinet has assessed the impact of the current measures and has resolved, based on key indicators, to maintain and extend the current Public Health Regulations for a period of sixteen days until 31 July 2021.
This hopefully also means that the tourism guidelines, released by Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism on 01 July 2021, also remain in place. According to the guidlines, there are no travel restrictions applicable to international tourists once they comply with the provisions outlined in the appended protocols. We'll keep you posted!
15 July 2021
Cape Town: Boulders Beach named one of the world's most beautiful beaches!
UK-based financial website Money.co.uk has recently released a list of the world’s most beautiful beaches, according to Instagram. To rank the beaches, the website analysed over 26 million Instagram hashtags associated with the world’s most popular beaches and calculated how many pictures were shared per metre of the beach length. The beach with the most Instagram posts per metre has been crowned the most beautiful beach in the world. According to the ranking, Boulders Beach (420 metres, 323 pictures per metre) in Simon's Town, Cape Town, is the world's 9th most beautiful beach in the world.
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| Photo by Jack Young on Unsplash |
Meanwhile Big 7 Travel, an international travel website, recently revealed a list of the 50 world’s most beautiful beaches in 2021, based on aggregated scores from previous media results, official Blue Flag locations and contributions from the Big 7 Travel editorial team. According to Big 7 Travel, Boulders Beach is the 12th best beach in the world right now.
Money.co.uk 20 best beaches in the world:
- Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia; 4,227 photos per meter
- Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia; 1,776 photos per meter
- Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand; 587 photos per meter
- Tropea Beach in Calabria, Italy; 423 photos per meter
- Navagio Beach in Zakynthos, Greece; 403 photos per meter
- Hanauma Bay in Oahu, Hawaii, USA; 345 photos per meter
- Tenby North Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales; 343 photos per meter
- Praia do Camilo in Lagos, Portugal; 325 photos per meter
- Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa; 323 photos per meter
- Blue Point Beach in Ungasan, Bali, Indonesia; 287 photos per meter
- Cala Saona in Formentera, Spain; 282 photos per meter
- Margate Beach in Kent, England, U.K.; 265 photos per meter
- Cala Goloritzè in Baunei, Sardinia, Italy; 248 photos per meter
- Freedom Beach in Phuket, Thailand; 247 photos per meter
- Cala Gat in Cala Ratjada, Spain; 246 photos per meter
- Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, Canada; 246 photos per meter
- Lanikai Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, USA; 246 photos per meter
- Bal Harbour Beach in Miami, Florida, USA; 239 photos per meter
- Durdle Door in Dorset, England, U.K.; 232 photos per meter
- Sitges Beach in Barcelona, Spain; 175 photos per meter
Big 7 Travel's 20 (out of 50) best beaches in the world 2021:
- Vaeroy Beach – Norway
- Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Islands, Australia
- Fig Tree Bay – Protaras, Cyprus
- Grace Bay – Turks and Caicos
- Secret Lagoon – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
- Reynisfjara Beach – VÃk à Mýrdal, Iceland
- Source d’Argent – Seychelles
- Playa Ruinas – Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Kanuhura Maldives – Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives
- Pig Beach – Bahamas
- Keem Bay – Mayo, Ireland
- Boulders Beach – Cape Town, South Africa
- Cala Saona – Formentera, Spain
- Seagrass Bay – Laucala Island, Fiji
- Tunnels Beach – Kauai, Hawaii
- Matira Beach -Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- Horseshoe Bay – Bermuda
- Zlatni rat (Golden Horn Beach) – Brac, Croatia
- Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach) – Mexico
- Maho Beach – St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
14 July 2021
Malawi: Malawi Airlines to resume flights between Lilongwe <> Nairobi!
The flag carrier airline of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, has announced the resumption of flights between Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya. Effective 04 August 2021, the airline will operate two weekly frequencies on Wednesdays and Fridays (LLW > NBO) as well as on Thursdays and Saturdays (NBO > LLW). Flights will depart Lilongwe at 16:45 and arrive in Nairobi at 20:00, while the return flights will depart Nairobi on the following day at 06:15 and arrive in Lilongwe at 07:30.
Covid-19: The Lufthansa Group temporarily reduces flights between Frankfurt <> Windhoek! [update]
update (31 July 2021): Germany's Robert Koch Institut (RKI) will with effect from 01 August 2021 downgrade Namibia and South Africa from being classified as Covid-19 virus variant areas to areas of high risk. According to Dr. Andrè Schulz, General Manager of the Lufthansa Group in Southern & East Africa, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group will - based on the new regulations that are coming with the downgrade - continuously re-evaluate and adjust capacities to meet the demand according to customer needs.
The Lufthansa Group has adapted its schedule for flights between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Namibia's capital Windhoek. As a result of Namibia being classified a Covid-19 variant area of concern by Germany's Robert Koch Institut (RKI), the Lufthansa Group has reduced its flight schedule from five flights per week between Frankfurt and Windhoek to three weekly flights between the two cities. The reduction became effective from 13 July 2021. Along with these changes, due to operational reasons the airline has also adapted the departure schedule from Windhoek. Effective 15 July 2021, all flights departing from Windhoek will incur a 12hrs:15min delay. There will be no time change for departures from Frankfurt.
For those passengers holding confirmed tickets on these flights which are affected by the schedule changes, the Lufthansa Group will offer a rebooking at no additional charge.
South Africa: Emirates further extends route suspension! [update]
update (18 July 2021): Emirates’ flights to and from South Africa will remain suspended until 31 July 2021.
According to Emirates' travel update, the airline has further extended its South Africa route suspension. In line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), flights to South Africa remain suspended until 21 July 2021. 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.
13 July 2021
Covid-19: Comair extends the temporary suspension of all Kulula and British Airways flights in South Africa! [update]
update (20 August 2021): According to Comair's business rescue practioners (the airline entered into voluntary business rescue proceedings on 05 May 2020 in order to safeguard the company and its stakeholders), the arline is still planning to restart operations in September 2021.
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that South Africa will remain on an adjusted level 4 lockdown for at least the next two weeks, South African airline Comair, which operates the low-cost kulula brand and a local franchise of British Airways, has announced that it will extend the suspension of services until 31 August 2021. The airline, which temporarily suspended operations on 05 July 2021, initially planned to resume flights from 30 July 2021. Given the uncertainty of the expected length of the recently adjusted level 4 lockdown in South Africa, restriction of travel in and out of Gauteng coupled with the rampant transmissibility of the Covid-19 "Delta" variant, the airline now decided to extend the suspension of services by one month and plans to resume scheduled operations on 01 September 2021.
According to Comair tickets for travel with kulula for the period 28 June 2021 to 31 August 2021 will remain valid for 12 months until 31 August 2022. No change of booking fee or fare difference will be charged. British Airways' "Book with Confidence" policy also applies to customers holding a valid ticket for flights with British Airways operated by Comair. We'll keep you posted!
South Africa: US airline Delta Air Lines now offering flights to Cape Town via Nairobi!
Major US airline Delta Air Lines and Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, have expanded their codeshare agreement, increasing the choice of destinations offered by Delta Air Lines in Africa and extending Kenya Airways’ reach in North America via John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. Through the enhanced agreement Delta-marketed codeshare flights are available on Kenya Airways’ services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town (South Africa), RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) Harare (Zimbabwe) and Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali (Rwanda). It also enables Delta customers flying nonstop on the airline’s services from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Accra (Ghana) to connect with Delta-marketed codeshare flights to Monrovia (Liberia) and Freetown (Sierra Leone) operated by Kenya Airways.
From John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Kenya Airways has placed its code on Delta Air Lines' services to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, next to the border of Washington, D.C., as well as to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Other destinations within the codeshare include Chicago in Illinois, Denver in Colorado, Orlando in Florida, Miami in Florida, Raleigh in North Carolina, Phoenix in Arizona and Charlotte in North Carolina.
12 July 2021
Zimbabwe: Covid-19 guidelines for travellers!
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the tourism governing body in Zimbabwe, has released the current Zimbabwe Tourism Covid 19 Guidelines as at 07 July 2021. All travellers in Zimbabwe are subject to the following conditions:
- On arrival, passengers are required to complete Health Questionnaires detailling where they have travelled to and providing personal details for Covid-19 tracking purposes.
- Upon arrival, all travellers are required to present a negative PCR Covid-19 Clearance Certificate issued by a recognized facility within 48 hours from the date of departure.
- Travellers with fake Covid-19 documents will attract custodial sentences.
- Travellers coming from high-risk areas of the Covid-19 Alpha and Delta variants shall be quarantined at their own expenses with PCR tests conducted on days 1, 3, 5 and 10.
- Those departed back to Zimbabwe will be subject to self-quarantine or will be quarantined in identified places.
- Upon clearance to enter into Zimbabwe, tourists are expected to follow Covid-19 guideles at hospitality and recreation facilities.
- Domestic tourists are not required to present Covid-19 certificates but are expected to follow Covid-19 guidelies at hospitality and recreation facilities.
- A dedicated national toll-free "2023" helpline and call centre is available for information about Covid-19 to travellers.
- On departure tourists can obtain Covid-19 certificates from the approved laboratories.
The following restrictions remain in place to prevent the spreat of Covid-19:
- Wearing of masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizinh must be observed all times with in public places.
- Restaurants may only serve customers on a takeaway basis and may not provide seating for waiting customers.
- Bars attached to hotels and lodges must close by 22:00.
- Business operating time is the period between 08:00 and 15:30.
- Curfew is between 18:30 and 06:00.
- International airports are open to all travellers but land borders remain closed for visitors except commercial traffic, diplomats and returning residents.
Ranking: Cape Town cinema named one of the world's most beautiful!
Time Out, a global media outlet that inspires and enables people to explore and enjoy the best of the city, has recently released a list of the 50 most glamorous, architecturally eye-popping, Insta-friendly and just plain drop-dead-gorgeous cinemas on the planet. Cape Town's Labia Theatre, the oldest independent art-repertory cinema in South Africa, has been recognised on list. The cinema at 68 Orange Street in the Gardens has been named the 14th most beautiful cinema in the world. Congratulations!
The Labia Theatre consists of four screens, a 176 seater, a 95, 67 seater, and an intimate 66 seater. It further offers a coffee bar, outside terrace and a liquor licence. Patrolled parking is also provided.
The Labia Theatre, which was originally an Italian embassy ballroom, was opened by Princess Labia in May 1949 as a theatre for the staging of live performances. For the past twenty-nine years, it has been operating as a cinema on the alternative circuit appealing mainly to the more discerning viewer who enjoys its quality product and the charm of its old-world ambience.
Covid-19: South Africa extends adjusted Alert Level 4 lockdown for another 14 days! [update]
update (12 July 2021): South Africa's Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has published a government gazette that introduces new restrictions for South Africa's adjusted level 4 lockdown. Please note that interprovincial travel for leisure to and from Gauteng remains prohibited.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 11 July 2021 that the country's Cabinet after consultation with the provinces has decided to maintain South Africa at Adjusted Alert Level 4 for another 14 days. This is due to the fact that with the fast-spreading Delta variant, South Africa is experiencing a third wave of Covd-19 infections that is more severe than the first and second waves. According to the President, the country has consistently recorded an average of nearly 20,000 daily new cases for the last two weeks.
The following measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa remain in place until 25 July 2021:
- All social, political, religious and other gatherings remain prohibited.
- A curfew remains in place from 21:00 until 04:00, and only those with permission to do so may leave their homes during this time.
- The sale of alcohol remains prohibited.
- Schools remain closed until the 26th of July.
- It remains mandatory to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever you are in public.
Adjustments to the Alert Level 4 regulations:
- Restaurants and eateries are allowed to operate while observing strict health protocols. Such establishments may not accommodate more than 50 people at a time or, for smaller venues, more than 50 per cent of their normal capacity.
- Certain other venues, such as gyms and fitness centres, may also open and activities such as agricultural livestock and game auctions are allowed, subject to the conditions outlined in regulations.
09 July 2021
South Africa: Cape Town to host the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2022! [update]
update (27 December 2021): The Cape Town ePrix has been cancelled for unknown reasons and will be replaced by the Jakarta ePrix!
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has revealed that Cape Town in South Africa will be one of the host cities of the all-electric 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. According to the provisional calender for the 2021/22 season, the Cape Town leg of the racing series is set to take place on 26 February 2022. Cape Town's Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, said in a press release that the City of Cape Town is looking forward to finalising internal processes in order to meet the relevant requirements for staging such an exciting event. The 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will feature three new locations, namely Cape Town, Vancouver and Seoul, as part of a record 16-race season spanning 12 cities across four continents.
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| Photo by Chris Kaeppeli on Unsplash |
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is a single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars. It is somehow the electric equivalent of the Formula One World Championship. The racing series was conceived in 2011; the inaugural championship race was held in Beijing in September 2014. Since 2020, the series has FIA world championship status.
06 July 2021
Mozambique has tightened its Covid-19 preventive measures again!
Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi announced in an address to the nation on 24 June 2021 that the country maintains most of the Covid-19 preventive measures for another 30 days. The (adjusted) measures announced by the President already came into effect on Saturday, 26 June 2021, at midnight. They include:
- In the Greater Maputo area and all provincial capitals there is a curfew in place from 22:00 to 04:00 every night. The curfew also applies in Manhiça, Chokwe, Maxixe, Gondola, Moatize, Mocuba, Nacala, Montepuez, Massinga and Guruè.
- Commercial establishments in Mozambique will be open from 09:00. – 19:00 Monday – Saturday, and 09:00 – 18:00 on Sunday. Restaurants may remain open until 21:00 every day.
- Business and work visas are now authorized.
- Religious services, conferences, celebrations and meetings in Mozambique are limited 40% of the capacity of the venues, and may never exceed 40 people for indoor venues and 80 people for outdoor venues.
- Private social events in Mozambique are prohibited throughout the country, except for wedding registrations which may have 20 attendees maximum.
- Additional safety measures are to be immediately implemented in all public establishments in Mozambique.
- 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.
- Restaurants, take-aways and home delivery services in Mozambique close at 20:00.
- Recreational and leisure sports and games are prohibited.
- The operation of theaters, cultural centers and auditoriums in Mozambique is prohibited.
- 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 in Mozambique is allowed between 09:00 and 15:00 from Monday to Saturday; no alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays or holidays. The sale of alcoholic beverages from stalls is prohibited.
- Visiting beaches for leisure purposes in Mozambique is prohibited. Alcohol is not permitted on the beach.
- Shopping centers are open from 09:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays and holidays.
- Public swimming pools in Mozambique may open to 30% capacity.
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
[src.]
Zimbabwe: Fastjet now offers double daily flights between Bulawayo <> Johannesburg!
Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has increased the number of flights between Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) in Bulawayo and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa. The airline now offers a double daily flights on the route. Fastjet's morning flight departs Johannesburg at 07:30 and arrives in Bulawayo at 08:50, while the return flight departs Bulawayo at 09:25 and arrives in Johannesburg at 10:45. Die afternoon service departs Johannesburg at 16:15 and arrives in Bulawayo at 17:35, while the return flight departs Bulawayo at 18:10 and arrives in Johannesburg at 19:30.
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