South African government implements travel ban

President Cyril Ramaphosa implemented a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries including Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, USA, UK, and China as from 18 March 2020.

Visas have been cancelled for visitors from those countries as of today, previously granted visas have also been revoked until further notice.

Ramaphosa urges all South African citizens to refrain from travelling to or through any countries located in the European union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and any other countries deemed ‘high-risk’ countries effective immediately.

The government will continue to issue travel alerts to citizens regarding specific cities and regions as the risk level evolves.

Any foreign national who has visited a high-risk country in the last 20 days will be denied a visa, while South African citizens returning from those cities will be subject to testing and self quarantine immediately upon their arrival. Anyone who has returned to South Africa from a high-risk country since mid-February will be required to test themselves immediately.

Travellers coming from ‘medium-risk countries’ such as Portugal, Hong Kong and Singapore will be subject to ‘High intensity screening’ upon their arrival.

Screening surveillance and testing measures will be strengthened  at OR Tambo International airport, Cape Town International airport, and King Shaka International airport.

35 of the 53 land ports will be shut down as of Monday, 16 March. 2 of the 8 sea ports will be closed for all passengers and crew changes.

The South African government also strongly urges against non-essential domestic travel via air, rail, taxi and bus.

Other points of note include

-Gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.

-Upcoming nation day celebrations, such as Human Rights Days will be cancelled.

-Where small gatherings are unavoidable, event organizers will be required to put in place strict measures of prevention and control to mitigate further spread of the virus.

-Schools will be closed from 18 March and remain closed until the end of the Easter weekend.

Image: Pixabay

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