Loading capacity of 50% is equally applicable to these services. South African Government hasn’t pulled the plug on Qatar to repatriate South Africans: 2020/05/03: Repatriations of South Africans stranded abroad. (4) All commuter rail services must stop operations for the duration of the lockdown including all Metrorail and Gautrain. The PCR test must be taken no longer than 72 hours before arrival in South Africa. PRASA will similarly adopt a gradual re-introduction of its services based on its capacity to manage crowds, implement effective social distancing and implement other mitigation measures that include cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, trains and stations. It is unclear how long quarantine will last for those failing to produce test results. Gazette 43752 of 1 October 2020 as amended by Gazette 43956 of 3 December 2020, International flights and domestic flights. A driver, owner or operator of public transport may not allow any member of the public who is not wearing a face mask, to board or be conveyed in a public transport owned or operated by him or her. Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, subject to compliance with protocols relating to-(a) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary;(b) the wearing of a face mask;(c) transportation; and(d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Singapore to restrict entry of some travellers from South Africa after reports of new COVID-19 strain Visitors walk through Changi Airport Terminal 1 in Singapore on Dec 7, 2020. Here are the visa requirements in a nutshell: You can check to see if your country is visa-free or not on this government list. All our commercial aircrafts are fitted with the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. (b) The transporation of persons rendering essential or permitted services must be in line with the operating shifts or work time schedules as determined by the responsible head of operations, Manager or Head of Department of an institution or a person with responsible authority within such institution; and(c) The use of transport for food delivery services is permitted.'. (5) The following Airports should have standby operational staff who will receive aircraft that are in distress. The transportation of cargo from the sea ports of entry to their final destination is permitted. (b) A letter confirming their admissibility under the current circumstances from the embassy or other diplomatic/consular representative of the country they want to travel to. as required by the circumstances in paragraph 2 of these Directions. Suspected cases must be referred to Port Health. (2) During the lockdown period, the following public transport vehicles must not carry more than 70% of their maximum licensed passenger seating capacity as follows:(a) A minibus licensed to carry 10 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 7 passengers;(b) a minibus licensed to carry 15 passengers, is limited to carry the maximum of 10 passengers; and(c) a midibus licensed to carry a maximum of 22 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 15 passengers. This includes minibus-taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services. A 5-seater vehicle is permitted to carry a maximum of 2 passengers and a driver. (a) be forwarded by electronic mail to mscc @dot.gov.za, with a copy forwarded to Nepfumbadam @dot.gov.za; and(b) contain the following information:(i) The name of the small craft;(ii) registration number of the small craft;(iii) last Port of Call and date of departure;(iv) South African first Port of Call;(v) South African second Port of Call;(vi) estimated date of arrival; and(vii) the total number of sailors on board, including the nationalities of such sailors. (2) The following International Airports have the necessary capacity and will be ready to handle the Charter flights:a) O R Tambob) Lanseriac) King Shakad) Upingtone) Polokwanef) Bram Fischerg) Kruger Mpumalangah) Pilanesbergi) Port Elizabeth; andi) Cape Town, Countries impacted by South Africa's travel restrictions. It also details the goods that should to be allowed by member states to move across land borders. (1) Crew from high risk countries shall be subjected to medical screening and quarantined up to 21 days. industry and competition may, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for transport and finance, issue directions that provide for the management, administration and prioritisation of exports or imports, taking into account the need to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 and to deal with the destructive and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers should avoid all travel to South Africa. School learners and educators, who commute daily to South Africa, are exempted from this requirement. (1) Aerial work is permitted. “We wish to assure South Africans that the country is ready for active surveillance, detention, tracing of a threat.” Coronavirus and South Africa: Intensified screenings at ports of entry On 5 March 2020, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize confirmed the spread of the virus to South Africa, with the first known patient being a male citizen who tested positive upon his return from Italy . But only those from ‘low’ or ‘medium risk’ countries are permitted to travel to South Africa. (1) No person is allowed to stand in a public transport vehicle. (a) persons doing so in the course of carrying out work responsibilities or performing any service permitted under Alert Level 3, provided that such person is in possession of a permit issued by the employer;(b) persons travelling for purposes of-(i) moving to a new place of residence; or(ii) caring for an immediate family member: Provided that such person is in possession of an affidavit;(c) members of Parliament performing oversight responsibilities;(d) learners or students who have to commute to and from those schools or institutions of higher learning during periods when those schools or institutions are permitted to operate;(e) the attendance of funerals;(f) the transportation of mortal remains;(g) obtaining medical treatment;(h) persons who are returning to their place of residence from a quarantine or isolation facility; or(i) any movement permitted under regulation 41. Bus and taxi services -(a) may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long distance travel; and(b) may carry 100% of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long distance travel in terms of subregulation (1). All small crafts are allowed to call at the following designated South African commercial ports:(a) Port of Cape Town;(b) Port of Durban; and(c) Port of Richards Bay. Some countries, like Australia, South Korea and some European countries, have a positive rate around 1% or lower – they do hundreds, or even thousands of tests for each case they find. (a) Signing-off crews are not required to produce a valid negative PCR test certificate if the vessel has not had crew changes or has not visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port. And now, they’ve stepped up to the plate covering travellers and digital nomads against the scourge… at a bargain! (3) Operators must ensure that all public transport vehicles are clean and tidy. However, as is already the case, we will continue to allow repatriation flights either bringing back South Africans stranded in foreign countries or transporting foreign nationals to their home countries. (b) Sanitisation of cargo must be applied to air cargo carried by any South African aircraft coming from medium to high risk countries. It must be carried out in the country of origin, should be conducted by a certified medical practitioner, and must be named and signed by said practitioner. ), Beaches (except when engaged in physical activity). It is also important to note that there is currently a national curfew in place from midnight to 4:00 a.m. As with many things during this time, this list is subject to change. A number of companies, particularly in the mining sector, work 3 shifts, resulting in employees finishing work outside the permitted public transport operating hours. Prohibition of service of certain public transport during lockdown (Gazette 43157, 26 March 2020) (As amended by Gazette 43183, 30 March 2020 and Gazette 43186, 31 March 2020)), (1) All long distance and inter-provincial services are prohibited for the duration of the lockdown. That means all public spaces including: The South Africa government recommends that members of the public wear only cloth face masks/coverings. Travel Between Provinces, Metros and Districts. An appropriate load factor will be applied by all operators based on their seating and standing arrangements according to 50% standard coach occupancy. (1) All operators must ensure that public transport vehicles are sanitized before picking up and after dropping off passengers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It’s 2020: by now you should know that anything could happen! This certificate is valid for 14 days. General Aviation is permitted for the following purposes:(a) Approved Regional re-positioning flights for all South African and foreign registered aircraft into and from South Africa for return after maintenance and repair, to perform maintenance and repair or to continue with contractual work within South Africa or foreign countries within the region;(b) Exchanging of crew members operating in foreign countries as and when required; and(c) Transporting of aviation technicians, mechanics and engineers internationally for essential support and assistance to aircraft. No scheduled domestic flights will be permitted in Level 4. South Africa is a big-hitter destination. The availability of port health services will also guide the scheduling of flights. (3) Recreational aviation is permitted. For purpose of any trip not regarded as long distance travel -, (a) bus, minibus, midibus, minibus taxi-type services, e-hailing services, meter taxis, shuttle services, chauffer driven vehicles and scholar transport vehicles are permitted to carry 100% of their maximum licensed passenger capacity; and. There are no compulsory quarantine-on-arrival travel requirements in South Africa. However, we will allow the movement of cargo from our sea-ports to either warehouses or final destinations as provided for in the current rules. Of course, there are particular details you should know before travelling: Entry requirements for travel to South Africa state that all incoming visitors need to have a negative PCR test before entering the country. Other exemptions made for those from high risk countries include diplomats, investors, sports professionals, and international students. All the information here was sourced, checked, double-checked, and published on 05/11/2020. The SADC Protocol on COVID-19 is applicable. Coronavirus: Entry ban and retroactive quarantine for persons from the UK and South Africa The Federal Council Bern, 21.12.2020 - Following the discovery of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council today decided to take steps to prevent the further spread of this new virus strain. For purposes of any trip that is not regarded as long distance travel in terms of regulation 43(1) of the Regulations-(a) buses, minibuses, midibuses, minibuses, taxi-type services, e-hailing services, meter taxis, shuttle services, chauffer driven vehicles and scholar transport vehicles are permitted to carry 100% of their maximum licensed passenger capacity; and(b) rail operations are permitted to carry not more than 70% of their licensed passenger capacity. All sailors must comply with the South African immigration requirements and Port Health protocols. These countries’ are one’s where infection rates of COVID-19 are less than or equal to that of South Africa. (2) Disembarkation of foreign nationals from high risk countries is suspended on all airports until further notice. (2) The Cabinet member responsible for home affairs, or a person designated by him or her, may allow entry into or exit from the Republic for-(a) emergency medical attention for a life-threatening condition;(b) the evacuation of a South African national or permanent resident to the Republic;(c) the repatriation of a foreign national to his or her country of nationality or permanent residence;(d) the return of a South African national or permanent resident to his or her place of employment, study or residence, outside the Republic; or(e) daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry and exit into and from the Republic, subject to compliance with protocols relating to-(i) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary;(ii) wearing of a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth when in a public place, or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth;(iii) transportation; and(iv) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19. (b) A crew member's failure to adhere to the requirement contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b), in instances where the vessel has had crew changes or has visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port, will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's or employer's own cost. All international flights are prohibited, except those conducted for-(i) the transportation of fuel, cargo and goods;(ii) humanitarian operations;(iii) the evacuation of a South African national or permanent resident to the Republic;(iv) the repatriation of a foreign national to their country of nationality or permanent residence;(v) medical emergencies in respect of a life-threatening condition;(vi) the movement of staff of diplomatic and international organisations;(vii) the return of a South African national or permanent resident to their place of employment, study or residence, outside theRepublic; or(viii) other categories, as authorised by the Minister of Transport, but excluding international passenger air travel for leisure purposes. Therefore, no accompanying members of the public will be allowed inside the terminal buildings. That leaves tourists from many countries banned from entering, for now. (2) Lanseria International Airport must not allow the landings and departures of any international flights for the duration of the lockdown. A: Entry into South Africa of returning South African citizens and permanent residents who departed South Africa prior to the travel restrictions which came into effect on 18 March 2020, is allowed. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? South Africans who fall in these categories and satisfy the criteria can send an email to Covid19travel@dha.gov.za. Maintenance vehicles will only be permitted to move around the system in these hours only. (2) Embarkation and disembarkation of passengers are suspended on all sea ports until further notice unless under the following circumstances: -(a) disembarkation of a returning South African citizen and a permanent resident. Share. Ceasing of passenger and commuter Rail Operations (Gazette 43159 of 26 March 2020). We closed the skies to all flights to Israel from the UK, Denmark and South Africa. © 2021, The Broke Backpacker. The Cabinet member responsible for transport must, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, health, police, trade, industry and competition, and justice and correctional services, issue directions for the resumption of different modes of public transport to cater for the gradual return to work of people, in respect of-(a) domestic air travel;(b) rail, bus services, taxi services;(c) e-hailing services; and(d) private vehicles. Driving schools will be permitted to resume their activities subject to effective social distancing and sanitizing measures. South Africa has strict entry regulations for minors (i.e. ". Our favourite insurance provider World Nomads just got favourite-r! (2) All small crafts are allowed to call at the designated commercial ports referred to in subdirection (1) for purposes of repairs, stores, provisions, refueling and leisure. (b) The evacuation of foreign tourists may be allowed where arrangements, including an arrangement for evacuation by air charter, have been made by the relevant embassy: Provided that a tourist who is escorted to the point of exit may be screened again.