Covid-19: Namibia extends the current Public Health Regulations for another 30 days!

Namibia's Vice President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba announced on the occasion of the 40th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 14 February 2022 that the current Covid-19 public health measures have been reviewed and will be extended for a period of 30 days, from 16 February 2022 to 15 March 2022. According to the country's Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Kalumbi Shangula the number of attendees at public gatherings has been adjusted from 200 to 500 persons per event. The requirements for entry into Namibia have also been updated. Please see the excerpt below:

 

Covid-19: South Africa has introduced changes to its Adjusted Alert Level 1 lockdown regulations!

South Africa implemented a five-level Covid-19 alert system in April 2020 to manage the gradual easing of the nationwide lockdown, which was introduced on 27 March 2020. This risk-adjusted approach is guided by several criteria, including the level of infections and rate of transmission, the capacity of health facilities, the extent of the implementation of public health interventions and the economic and social impact of continued restrictions. South Africa is currently on Adjusted Alert Level 1 (since 01 October 2022). The Cabinet of South Africa yesterday (31 January 2022) approved changes to the Adjusted Alert Level 1 Covid-19 regulations. This follows meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) which received updates on the management of Covid-19 in South Africa. Based on the trajectory of the pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, the Cabinet has decided to make the following changes to Adjusted Alert Level 1 with immediate effect: 

• Those who test positive with no symptoms do not have to isolate.  
• If you test positive with symptoms, the isolation period has been reduced from 10 to 7 days.
• Contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms.  

The Cabinet of South Africa also reviewed the resumption of schooling to full-time learning in all schools. Primary, secondary and special schools will return to daily attendance. The regulatory provision for social distancing of 1 meter for learners in schools has also been removed.

Emirates to resume flights to five African countries!

The largest airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the flag carrier of the Emirate of Dubai, Emirates, is set to restart passenger operations between Dubai and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia starting from 29 January 2022. Flights between Dubai and South Africa will operate as a daily flight to and from Johannesburg, effective 29 January 2022, and double daily services from 01 February 2022. Flights to and from Cape Town and Durban will operate daily from 01 February 2022. Emirates will restart its service between Dubai and Harare in Zimbabwe with six weekly flights linked to its Lusaka in Zambia service from 30 January 2022.

• Kenya: Emirates will operate 10 weekly flights to Nairobi from 29 January 2022.  
• Tanzania: Emirates will operate to Dar es Salaam with five flights a week from 30 January 2022.  
• Ethiopia: Emirates flights to Addis Ababa will operate daily from 30 January 2022. 
  

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Covid-19: United Arab Emirates resumes entry for travellers from 12 African countries!

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced the resumption of all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Republic of Congo in addition to updating the entry measures for travellers coming in from Uganda, Ghana and Rwanda, from 29 January 2022, effective 14.30, while adhereing to all relevant precautionary measures in place.
Travellers from the above mentioned countries intending to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) need to have a negative Covid-19 test obtained within 48 hours from the approved labs in their respective countries of departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airports of departure in addition to undertaking PCR test upon arrival while adhering to all relevant precautionary and preventative measures. Those suffering Covid-19 symptoms are advised not to travel.

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Covid-19: Namibia amends the current Public Health Regulations! [update]

update (24 January 2022): According to a "Public Notice" (No: 1/2022) by Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), persons with domicile status who have been fully vaccinated (valid and authentic vaccination certificate required) can enter Namibia without presenting a negative PCR test.

Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, announced on the occasion of the 39th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 13 January 2022 that the current Covid-19 public health measures have been reviewed and amended in light of the current Covid-19 situation in Namibia. The following regulations related to travel and tourism will come into force from 16 January 2022 to 15 February 2022*:

• Gatherings:
• The number of attendees at public gatherings will remain unchanged at not more than 200 persons per event.
• Curfew:
• The current epidemiological environment does not warrant the re-introduction of a curfew.
• Restrictions related to liquor:
• The measures related to the sale of liqour are retained without change.
• Business operations:
• Business owners shall continue to operate in line with the provisions of their business licenses. Business owners of restaurants, bars, kapanas, hair saloons and others mus enforce the compliance with Covid-19 protocols by employees such as the strict wearing of masks. It is also the duty of the clients to demand the wearing of masks by waitresses, hairdressers and other service providers. The wearing of masks by all in public space remains a mandatory requirement in Namibia.
• Public transport:
• Measures related to public transport remain unchanged.
• Requirements for entry in the country:
• Fully vaccinated Namibians, permanent residents and truck drivers will no longer be required to present a negative PCR test result upon entry into Namibia. The above mentioned categories of people can enter the country at any time with a valid and authentic vaccination card.
• For all other categories of travellers, including truck drivers who are not fully vaccinated, the validity of a negative PCR Covid-19 test result remains 72 hours from the time of the collection of the specimen to the time the individual presents her/hinself at the Point of Entry into Namibia.
• Non-Namibians who arrive with PCR test results older than 72 hours and are not in possession of a de-isolation certificate, will be denied entry in the country. Namibians who arrive without a valid PCR test result or a de-isolation certificate will be subjected to a PCR test at own cost at the Point of Entry and will be quarantined at own cost. Such traveller will be released from quarantine of the PCR test results are negative.
• Namibians and permanent residence permit holders who present positive PCR test results at Points of Entry may be allowed to proceed to the final destination and be subjected to isolation at own cost or to supervised home isolation provided that they have obtained approval for such supervised home isolation from the responsible officals at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS).
• As of now, random testing of travellers arriving Namibia will not be implemented. The situation will however be closely monitored and this may be revisited if the need arises.

*Should the epidemiological profile worsen, the measures may be reviewed at an earlier date.

Covid-19: France removes South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini from the scarlet red list!

The Government of France yesterday (05 January 2022) announced that South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini are set to be removed from the scarlet red list through which citizens of the three countries were blocked from travelling to France following the detection of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in South Africa. This means that all vaccinated travelers are now welcome to travel to France, provided they present the following documents:

• proof of vaccination status
• a sworn statement certifying the absence of Covid-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19
• a negative PCR or antigen test taken less than 48 hours prior to departure (departure of first flight in case of connecting flights)

Unvaccinated travellers must present a compelling reason for travel and will have to quarantine for ten days.

UPDATE: South Africa has been removed from the scarlet red list. Vaccinated travellers can come to France provided they show their vaccination certificate and a negative PCR or antigen test (-48h). No quarantine required for vaccinated travellers. https://t.co/W7h0TK9zlj

— France in S. Africa (@FrenchEmbassyZA) January 6, 2022

Covid-19: South Africa has introduced changes to its Adjusted Alert Level 1 lockdown regulations!

South Africa implemented a five-level Covid-19 alert system in April 2020 to manage the gradual easing of the nationwide lockdown, which was introduced on 27 March 2020. This risk-adjusted approach is guided by several criteria, including the level of infections and rate of transmission, the capacity of health facilities, the extent of the implementation of public health interventions and the economic and social impact of continued restrictions. South Africa is currently on Adjusted Alert Level 1 (since 01 October 2022). As of 30 December 2021, the Cabinet of South Africa has decided to make the following changes to Adjusted Alert Level 1 with immediate effect:

• The curfew has been lifted for now. There are therefore no restrictions on the hours of movement of people.
• Gatherings are restricted to no more than 1 000 people indoors and no more than 2 000 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. All other restrictions remain in place.
• Alcohol establishments that have licences to operate beyond 23:00 will revert back to full licence conditions.

Omicron variant: UK removes South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe etc. from the travel red list!

According to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, the Government of the United Kingdom is set to remove all eleven countries from the travel red list as of 15 December 2021 at 04:00. The list, which was reintroduced in late November 2021 as a precaution after the emergence of the Omicron variant, currently includes South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho, Angola as well as Nigeria. The UK Government has announced that because the spread of Omicron has been so wide, there is no need for any countries to be included on the red list at the moment.

??TRAVEL UPDATE

From 4am on Weds 15 Dec, ALL 11 countries will be removed from England's travel red ?? list #Internationaltravel (1/3)

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 14, 2021

Omicron variant: Namibia amends Public Health Regulations!

Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, announced on the occasion of the 38th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 14 December 2021 that the current Covid-19 public health measures have been reviewed and amended in light of the emergence of the highly transmissible omicron variant of the corona virus in Namibia. The following regulations will come into force from 16 December 2021 to 15 January 2022*:

• Public gatherings in Namibia are adjusted to not more than 200 persons per event.
• No curfew will be introduced in Namibia.
• The measures related to the sale of liqour are retained without change.
• The measures related to business operations are retained without change.
• The measures related to public transport are retained without change. However, the Ministry of Health and Social Services will avail one million disposable face masks to the Ministry of Works and Transport for distribution to travellers in public transport vehicles during the festive season.
• PCR test results upon entry into Namibia:
• Validity of PCR Covid-19 rest results is reduced to 72 hours from time of hte collection of the specimen to the time the individual arrives in Namibia.
• Travellers (Namibians or Non-Namibians) who arrive with PCR test results that are older than 72 hours and are not in possession of a de-isolation certificate, will be subjected to a PCR test at own cost at the Port of Entry and will be quarantined at own cost. Such traveller will be released from quarantine if the PCR test results are negative.
• Namibians arriving with positive PCR results, where such traveller has not completed isolation or does not present a de-isolation certificate, such traveller will be subjected to quarantine at own cost or to supervised home quarantine provided that the traveller has obtained approval for such supervised home quarantine.
• Random Covid-19 PCR testing will be conducted on persons permitted entry into Namibia at Points of Entry.
• Genome sequencing will be carried out on samples that tested positive for Covid-19.
• Namibian citizens and permit holders may enter the country with or without 72-hour PCR test. Those who arrive in Namibia without a negative PCR test result will be subjected to quarantine at own cost or to supervised home quarantine provided that the travellers has obtained appoval for such supervised home quarantine.

*Should the epidemiological profile worsen, the measures may be reviewed at an earlier date.

Omicron variant: Zimbabwe introduced new mitigation measures!

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced in a televised address to the nation on 30 November 2021 the introduction of enhanced measures to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the corona virus. With effect from 30 November 2021, all returning residents of Zimbabwe as well as all international visitors have ot undergo Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing and quarantine at their own costs for days recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), even if they present a negative PCR test result from elsewhere. He further introduced new curfew hours - they now to run from 21:00 to 06:00. It is not allowed anymore to consume alcohol at bottle stores while night clubs and bars in Zimbabwe are open to vaccinated clients only. The new measures to contain the Omicron variant are set to be reviewed after 14 days. We'll keep you posted!

Omicron variant: Zambia strengthens surveillance at Points of Entry!

Zambia has adjusted its entry regulations for all international travel to minimise the risk of importation of the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the corona virus. According the country's Ministry of Health, the updated guidelines are in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC). The following guidelines apply to all international travel:

• Screening for Covid-19 will continue at all of Zambia's Points of Entry including airports and land crossings.
• Port Health officers observe all arriving passengers to detect those with obvious signs of illness and subject them to further evaluation including testing if indicated
• All arriving passengers must undergo temperature screening
• Port Health Officers collect and review health declaration forms completet by all passengers and verify contact details
• All travellers entering Zambia are required to provide evidence of a negative SARS-COV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for a sample collected within 72 hours of departure from the country of origin. Port Health Officers determine the authenticity and validity of SARS-COV-2 negative certificates.
• All travellers from countries that have reported the Omicron variant are required to undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days from the date of arrival.
• Returning citizens of Zambia or residents of Zambia or permit-holders are allowed to quarantine at home
• Non-residents of Zambia are quarantined in designated centrers at their own cost.
• Travellers departing from Zambia are getting screened and must meet all Covid-19 testing requirements of the country of destination and/or transit.

New Covid-19 variant: United Arab Emirates bans travelers from Southern Africa! [update]

update (30 November 2021):  From 01- 31 December 2021, Emirates will operate passenger flights 4 times a week into Johannesburg. Due to current travel restrictions, the airline will not be carrying outbound passengers from Johannesburg. Emirates' passenger operations to and from Zimbabwe (Harare) and Zambia (Lusaka) remain suspended until further notice.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is suspendeding flights from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini because of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant. All travellers originating from, or transiting from, these seven countries will not be accepted for travel into the UAE with effect from 29 November 2021 until further notice. As a result, Emirates, the largest airline of the United Arab Emirates and the flag carrier of the Emirate of Dubai, is temporarily suspending passenger operations to and from South Africa (Johannesburg, Durban Cape Town), Zimbabwe (Harare) and Zambia (Lusaka) until further notice. We'll keep you posted!

New Covid-19 variant: USA and Canada are also restricting travel from Southern Africa! [update]

update (29 December 2021): Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on 31 December 2021, fully vaccinated foreign nationals who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi will again be allowed to enter the United States.
Canada lifted its travel restriction on flights from South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt already on 19 December 2021.

Following the detection of the heavily mutated omicron variant of Covid-19 in South Africa, the US Government has decided to restrict travel to the US for non-U.S. citizens from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi starting 29 November 2021. The travel ban will not apply to citizens of the USA or lawful permanent residents, but they will need to show a negative coronavirus test before coming to the United States.
Canada is also restricting travel to and from Southern Africa. Foreign travellers who have been to South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the past 14 days are barred from entering the country. We'll keep you posted!