TRAVEL TO REOPENING OF BORDERS AND SERVICES DURING ALERT LEVEL 1

updated: 30/09/2020

On 20th September 2020, President Ramaphosa announced that the country was moving to Alert Level 1 of the Risk Adjusted Approach. Under Alert Level 1, the country eased some of the stringent restrictions which were imposed on citizens under lockdown.

He further announced that on 1 October 2020 South African borders will be opened for business and leisure travel for international traveller’s subject to a number of restrictions for travelers.

These restrictions included that all travellers visiting the country will be expected to abide by the regulations which, amongst others, include mandatory wearing of masks at all times, practicing social distancing in public spaces, regular washing or sanitizing of hands.

Three airports will be opened and operational for international air travel. These airports are OR Tambo International (in Johannesburg, Gauteng), International (in Cape Town, Western Cape) and King Shaka International in (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal).

HEALTH INFORMATION

1. On arrival, travellers will need to present a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the official stamp; name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such test.

2. Where a traveller has not done a COVID-19 test prior to departure, they will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost for the period of ten (10) days.

3. All travellers will be subjected to screening by Port Health Officials upon arrival and departure

4. All travellers detected with symptoms will be required to remain in quarantine until a repear COVID- 19 test is conducted at their own costs.

5. Travellers will need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country.

6. All travellers must complete the Traveller Health Questionnaire prior or arrival or upon arrival at the point of entry.

7. All international travellers should possess a mandatory travel insurance which is supposed to cover the COVID-19 test and quarantine costs.

8. All travellers will be asked to install the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app.

9. All travellers should wear masks at all times whilst within the Ports of Entry controlled area. 10. Port officials will ensure that travelers adhere to social distance as part of queue management protocol.

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LIST OF HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES

The opening of international travel will follow a Risk Adjusted Approach. The list is subject to periodic review and will be updated / amended by the relevant authorities.

Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs Website for the list of high-risk countries: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/list-of-high-risk-covid-19-countries

1. The list of these high-risk countries will also be found on the Home Affairs website: www.dha.gov.za

2. Leisure travellers from the above-mentioned countries will not be allowed entry into South Africa.

3. Other categories of people from these countries, are allowed under special conditions, as it appears in the Regulations and Directions.

The exception will be:

 Business travellers with scarce and critical skills  Long term visa holders who visit the country for business purposes  Diplomats  Repatriated persons  Investors  People participating in professional sporting and cultural events

4. The above-mentioned exceptions will also undergo the same health protocol screenings

5. If the passport of the traveller from a high-risk country indicates that he/she has spent 10 days or more in a low risk country before departure, he/she will be considered to be arriving from a low risk country.

6. Travellers from medium and low risk countries will only be allowed into the country subject to the prevailing visa requirements.

7. In the interest of all citizens, and the continuing public health efforts, South Africa reserves the right to deny entry of any traveller who is travelling from a high-risk country for tourism purposes.

APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL FROM HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES

Any person from a country listed as having a high COVID-19 infection and transmission rate, who wish to undertake a business travel into South Africa, may with effect from 01 October 2020, in writing, apply to the Minister of Home Affairs and demonstrate reasons for their request to enter the Republic for business purposes during the period of the national state of disaster.

Such applications must be directed to email [email protected] and supported by:

a. a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa; b. proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic; c. proof of travel itinerary; and d. proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.

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TRANSIT THROUGH SOUTH AFRICA

1. Transit traveler through South African by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols but need not produce the 72 hours negative COVID-19 test certificate.

2. Transit travelers through South Africa by road will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols and will need to produce the 72 hours negative COVID019 test certificate.

3. If a traveler in transit displays symptoms of COVD-19, must, upon arrival and under the direction of Port Health

a. be taken through primary and secondary screening, including COVID-19 testing, where applicable; b. be quarantined, at own cost, if a positive test result is obtained. All Department of Health protocols and Department of Transport guidelines must be followed; and c. if travelling with family, be quarantined at own cost, with the whole family.

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FOREIGN STUDENTS WISHING TO RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA

International students returning who remained outside our country will need to meet the requirements of the COGTA regulations – which includes having a test, not older than 72 hours, showing that they are negative for the virus on arrival in South Africa; if not, they will need to go into quarantine at their own expense for at least 10 days before proceeding to their respective institutions.

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EXTENSION OF VISAS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS ALREADY IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Department of Home Affairs is extending the validity period of legally issued visas which expired during the lockdown period to 31 January 2021.

Holders of such visas are permitted to remain in the country under the conditions of their visas until 31 January 2021. Those wishing to be repatriated to their countries within this period can depart without being declared undesirable persons.

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RESUMPTION OF VISA SERVICES

Visa services, including submission of applications through VFS Global or through South African Embassies / Consulates abroad, will resume in the following categories:

 Visitor’s visas  Study visa  Treaty visa  Business visa  Crew visa  Medical treatment visa  Relative’s visa  General work visa  Critical skills  Intra-company transfer  Retired person visa  Corporate visa work visa work visa  Exchange visa  Waiver of prescribed  Appeals or requirement, as reviews contemplated contemplated in section  in section 8 of the 31(2)(c) Immigration Act

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TRAVELLERS FROM AFRICAN COUNTRIES

1. Travelers from all African countries are allowed to visit our country

2. They must possess relevant travel documents and will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

3. Daily commuters who reside in cross-border areas / towns and those who are from neighbouring countries including those with relevant work permits, school children and teachers will be allowed to enter and exit the borders for work / school purposes.

4. These commuters will be screened for COVI-19 symptoms and where necessary will be subjected to quarantine and isolation.

5. Furthermore, these commuters will be expected to wear face masks, wash hands, sanitize regularly and practice social distancing measures.

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LAND BORDERS THAT WILL BE OPERATIONAL

Amongst others, the following land borders will be operational:

 Beitbridge  Groblerbrug  Kopfontein  Lebombo  Mahamba  Martin’s drift  Maseru  Nakop  Oshoek  Pioneer   Tlokweng  Vioolsdrift  ______

PASSENGER SHIPS

1. All passenger ships for international leisure purposes are prohibited from disembarking any international passengers at any South African seaport.

2. Registered research foreign vessels and marine safety tugs are allowed to dock at sea ports, subject to mandatory quarantine laws, as may be applicable

3. All other cargo vessels must be allowed to dock at seaports for purposes of cargo works, repairs, replenishing fuel and provisions.

4. Passenger ships are allowed to call at any South African seaport only for the following purposes:

 Disembarking returning South African citizens and holders of South African permanent residence permits;  Replenishing fuel, stores and provisions;  Medical evacuation; and  Search and rescue.

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FOREIGN CREW CHANGES (SEA PORTS)

1. Foreign crew changes are permitted at all nine commercial ports

2. Signing -on crew must produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test certificate or a valid certificate of COVID -19 negative test results, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization requirements at the first South African Port of Entry.

3. In the event of a crew member's failure to produce a valid PCR test certificate, this will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's own cost.

4. Signing -off crews are not required to produce a valid 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.

5. A crew member's failure to adhere to the requirement will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's own cost. 6. Foreign crew may layover at a designated quarantine facility for a period not exceeding seven days, at their own cost, but must proceed directly to Ports of Entry once this period has lapsed and must also comply with South African Immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

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DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT: REGULATIONS ALERT LEVEL 1 DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN - PARTIAL RE-OPENING OF BORDERS

The following is an extraction from the original gazetted Alert Level 1 regulations Gazette 43725 of 18 September 2020 as adapted by Gazette 43727 of 20 September 2020.

1) The 18 land borders which were partially operational, will be fully operational, and the 35 land borders currently closed, will remain closed. 2) Traveling to and from the Republic is allowed, subject to subregulations (3) and (4). 3) From 1 October 2020, all travelers from the African Continent and from countries outside the African Continent with a low rate of COVID-19 infection and transmission, will resume subject to- a) the traveler providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel; and b) in the event of the traveler's failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be required to quarantine at his or her own costs. 4) To temporarily control entry into the Republic from countries outside the African Continent, the relevant Cabinet members shall, after consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health, determine in directions – a) criteria for controlling entry into the Republic, from such countries with a high COVID-19 infection and transmission rate; b) the list of such countries with a high COVID-19 infection and transmission rate, which list may, from time to time, be amended. 5) International travel from countries listed as having a high COVID-19 infection and transmission rate, will remain prohibited except for business travel which may be allowed with the approval of the Cabinet member responsible for home affairs. 6) Daily commuters from neighboring 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. 7) All commercial seaports will be opened. 8) International air travel is restricted to the following airports- a) OR Tambo International Airport; b) King Shaka International Airport; and c) Cape Town International Airport. 9) The resumption of services for visa applications shall be determined in directions issued by the Cabinet member responsible for home affairs. 10) The Cabinet member responsible for home affairs in consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for health and transport must develop International Travel Containment Protocols to be issued in directions, to ensure that entry into South African ports of entry will only be allowed subject to adherence to ensure COVID-19 positive travelers are not allowed into the Republic.