According to Emirates' travel update, the airline has changed plans and has extended its South Africa route suspension until 15 July 2021. This in line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Daily passenger flights to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will operate as EK763, however, outbound passenger services on EK 764 remain suspended. Customers who have been to or connected through South Africa in the last 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai.
05 July 2021
Eswatini: Eswatini Airlink & Airlink resume flights between South Africa <> Eswatini!
Eswatini Airlink and its operating partner Airlink have announced the resumption of flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport (SHO), the only international airport in Eswatini, on 06 July 2021. The airline temporarily suspended operations to Eswatini on 30 June 2021 due to civil unrest in the country. Airlink's twice daily return flights between Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport comply with South African curfew regulations.
Cape Town: Re-opening of burnt areas in the northern section of Table Mountain National Park!
South African National Park (SANParks) has announced that certain burnt areas in Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, which have been closed off to the public since April 2021 following a fire that started in the Rhodes Memorial area, have been re-opened. Permitted recreational activities in the re-opened areas can continue as before, including hiking and dog walking with visitors kindly requested to remain on demarcated footpaths and to be mindful of rules pertaining to keeping dogs under control. Re-opened park areas following the fires include:
- Quarries
- Devil's Peak
- King's Blockhouse
- Devil's Peak Lower Slopes
- Rhodes Contour Path
Re-opened Entry points include:
- Quarries
- Devil's Peak footpaths and Peak
- King's Blockhouse
- Devil's Peak Lower Slopes
- Dead Man's Tree
- Contour Path at Round Table Newlands Ravine
The recovery of fynbos in the burnt areas of Table Mountain National Park had been closely monitored by a number of scientists, studying the return of plants and animals after the fire. According to Table Mountain National Park Park Manager Frans van Rooyen more work is currently in progress and SANParks has appointed a contractor that is currently cutting trees. The following areas remain closed until further notice as there are still dangerous trees that need to be cut:
- Rhodes Memorial/Estate
- Game Camp
- Deer Park
03 July 2021
Covid-19: Comair temporarily suspends all Kulula and British Airways flights in South Africa!
South African airline Comair, which operates the low-cost kulula brand and a local franchise of British Airways, has announced the temporary suspension of services in South Africa. The airline will cancel all flights from 05 July 2021 and aims to recommence flights from 30 July 2021, subject to regulations being eased, and Covid-19 infection rates, particularly in Gauteng, being contained. According to Comair, the impact of the new regulations in South Africa and especially the the prohibition of all non-essential travel in and out of Gauteng has led to the decision to temporarily suspend services.
The airline said kulula customers who had a valid ticket booked until 29 July 2021 will be able use their ticket within 12 months from first date of travel without any penalty. 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!
02 July 2021
Western Cape: Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area and the Cederberg Wilderness Area have been temporarily closed! [update]
update (08 July 2021): According to CapeNature, selected camp sites in Cederberg Wilderness Area as well as Peerboom Cottage have been closed due to the recent rains. The expected re-opening date is 16 July 2021.
CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced that the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area and the Cederberg Wilderness Area have been closed due to adverse weather conditions. The situation will be continually reassessed. CapeNature is planing to re-open the Cederberg Wilderness Area on 06 July 2021, while the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area is expected to welcome visitors again from 12 July 2021.
The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area lies about 120km north of Cape Town, in the Grootwinterhoek mountain range north of Tulbagh and east of Porterville. Featuring extraordinary rock formations and popular hiking routes, it forms part of the greater Groot Winterhoek conservation area comprising 30 608ha, of which 19 200ha was declared a wilderness area in 1985.
The Cederberg Wilderness Area was proclaimed as a Wilderness in 1973. The 66 811ha of mountainous terrain is located in the Cape Floral Region about 250km north of Cape Town. It stretches from the Middelberg Pass in Citrusdal to north of the Pakhuis Pass at Clanwilliam. The Cederberg has a range of hiking trails that vary in intensity, including routes to fascinating rock formations, like the Maltese Cross and Wolfberg Arch, or refreshing waterfalls.
01 July 2021
South Africa extends validity period for temporary visas!
South Africa's Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has extended the validity period of legally issued visas which expired during the lockdown period to 30 September 2021 for short-term visas, issued for a period not longer than 90 days, such as a tourist visa. The validity period of longer-term temporary visas issued for three months to three years which expired during the lockdown has also been extended until 30 September 2021.
This means that visas or permits of holders who have not departed South Africa since the announcement of the National State of Disaster in March 2020, and arrived with a valid visitor’s visa between December 2019 and 14 March 2021, are deemed to be valid until the end of September 2021.
Holders of such visas are permitted to remain in South Africa under the conditions of their visas until the expiry of their applicable extension. Those wishing to be repatriated to their countries within this period can depart without being declared undesirable persons.
The extension does not apply to people who entered South Africa from 15 March 2021. The normal validity period of visas of people admitted into the country from 15 March 2021 applies.
Holders of longer-term temporary visas, issued for 90 days up to three years, such as study visa, treaty visa, business visa, medical treatment visa, relatives’ visas, general work visa, critical skills work visa, retired person’s visa and exchange visa, which expired during the State of National Disaster are invited to renew their visas at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica before 30 September 2021. Holders of a visa or permit must adhere to the terms and conditions of their visa and any activity not endorsed onto such visa or permits is prohibited.
Covid-19: LIFT Airline temporarily suspends operations!
South African domestic airline LIFT has announced the temporary suspension of flights. The airline, which is currently only operating flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, will cancel all flights from 05 July 2021 - 31 July 2021 and will resume scheduled services again from 01 August 2021. All affected LIFT travellers will be provided with an alternative flight. According to the airline, the impact of the new regulations in South Africa and the third Covid-19 wave has has led to the decision to temporarily suspend services. We'll keep you posted!
LIFT is a joint venture between Gidon Novick, the former CEO of Kulula.com, former Uber executive Jonathan Ayache and Global Airways, a South African-based aircraft leasing company. The airline was established in October 2020 and commenced operations on 10 December 2020.
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