South Africa: Updated entry requirements for international travellers! [update]

update (06 May 2022): The amended Covid-19 regulations in South Africa also affect passengers on all airlines, who are still required to wear masks on flights, which are considered a form of public transport.

update (05 May 2022): Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) advises all travellers that, according to the amended Covid-19 regulations in South Africa, a face mask must be worn when indoors at any public place, which includes the country's airports.

South African Health minister Joe Phaahla has gazetted new Covid-19 regulations under the National Health Act to replace South Africa's transitional measures, which were in place since midnight on 04 April 2022 for a duration of 30 days. The new regulations, which become effective on 05 May 2022, cover a number of key issues including travel, the wearing of masks and gatherings.

Travel:

"vaccinated against Covid-19" means having received at least one dose of a vaccine approved for use in respect of Covid-19 by the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPA) or listed for this purpose by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

• All international travellers arriving at South African Ports of Entry must:
• be vaccinated against Covid-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate; or
• produce a valid certificate of a negative PCR Covid-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of departure; or
• produce a valid certificate of a negative antigen Covid-19 test performed by a medical practioner, registered public health authority or accredited/approved laboratory which was obtained not more than 48 hours before the date of departure; or
• produce a valid certificate of a positive PCR Covid-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), for a test date less than 90 days prior to the date of arrival and more than 10 days prior to the date of arrival, together with a signed letter from a health care provider, registered in the country of origin, stating that the person has fully recovered from Covid-19, is not experiencing any new symptoms and is fit to travel.
• If an international traveller does not comply with the regulations above:
• the traveller must undergo antigen testing for Covid-19 at the Port of Entry; and
• if the traveller tests positive for Covid-19 in the antigen test, the traveller will still be admitted into South Africa but, if the traveller is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, the traveller must self-isolate for ten days after admission into South Africa.
• There are no entry requirements for children under 12 and daily commuters from neighbouring countries.

Face masks:

a "face mask" means a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth, or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth

• A person must, when entering and being inside an indoor public place, wear a face mask.
• No person may use any form of public transport if they do not wear a face mask

Gatherings:

a "gathering" means a planned assembly or meeting at a particular venue involving more than one hundred persons, whether for faith-based, religious, social, political, cultural, sporting, economic or recreational purposes.

• Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses are allowed full capacity or the available rooms for accommodation with patrons wearing face masks when in common spaces.
• for more information regarding "gatherings", click here.