What you need to know about borders reopening

South Africa will move to Alert Level 1 at midnight on Sunday, September 20. International travel for business and leisure in and out of South Africa will follow suit on October 1.

In his address, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that travel to and from certain countries will be restricted. This will be determined by a country’s infection rate and will be based on scientific data.

Parts of the globe are experiencing a resurgence in cases but an official list of the countries that are included and excluded is not yet available.

What Alert Level 1 means for travel:

Travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other reasons will be allowed with effect from October 1.

Travellers will only be able to use one of the land border posts that have remained operational during the lockdown or one of the three main airports:

– King Shaka,

– OR Tambo and

– Cape Town International Airport

COVID-19 screening:

– On arrival, travellers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure.

– 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.

– All travellers will be screened on arrival and those presenting with symptoms will be required to remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is conducted.

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

Visa protocols:

In preparation for the re-opening of our borders, South African missions abroad will open for visa applications and all long-term visas will be reinstated.

What Alert Level 1 entails:

As part of the gradual return to regular economic and social activity:

– The hours of curfew have been changed. The curfew will now apply between midnight and 4am.

– The sale of alcohol at retail outlets for home consumption is now permitted from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

– Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only and with strict adherence to the curfew.

– Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings.

– Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.

– The maximum number of people who may attend a funeral is increased from 50 to 100 due to the higher risk of viral transmission at funerals. Night vigils are still not permitted.

– Venues for exercise, recreation and entertainment – such as gyms and theatres – which were limited to no more than 50 people, will now be allowed to accommodate up to 50% of their venue’s capacity as determined by available floor space, subject to social distancing and other health protocols.

– Existing restrictions on sporting events remain in place.

The relevant Ministers will release further details in the coming weeks.

Image credit: Unsplash

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