Thursday 1 October marks the return of international travel for the first time in seven months and while this is welcomed news for our economy, the government has issued a warning on a number of high-risk countries.
The latest reading of SA’s Covid-19 stats
At Alert Level 1, we are starting to see some form of normalcy return to our daily lives. The traffic is congested at peak times and our airports are buzzing with idling jet engines and thrill-seekers.
If we are to believe the National Institute of Communicable Diseases’ (NICD) daily statistical reports, then the worst could be behind South Africa with regards to the coronavirus (Covid-19).
According to stats from Wednesday, South Africa had 674 339 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 16 734 deaths recorded. The silver lining to these dreadful numbers is our recovery rate, which currently sits above 90%.
Despite the alleviation that came with Alert Level 1, there are still mounting fears of a possible second wave. However, that has not discouraged the government from reopening the tourism industry, just in time for summer.
International travel returns: What are the rules?
In the rulebook for Level 1 regulations, Section 75 deals with the partial re-opening of South Africa’s borders. A huge relief for the import/export industry was felt when it was announced that from Thursday, 18 land borders will be fully operational, with travelling permitted in and out of the country.
International travel by flight or sea has also been relaunched. These perks do come with a stringent number of conditions, though. At Alert Level 1, travellers are permitted to enter and/or exit South Africa provided that:
- the traveler obtains a valid certificate of a negative Covid-19 test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel; and
- in the event of the traveller’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveller will be required to quarantine at his or her own cost.
The necessary safety protocols like wearing a face mask and hand sanitising will be practiced. These conditions apply to travellers from countries with a low infection rate.
High-risk countries you probably should avoid
Travel to high-risk countries has, for the most part, been restricted. Exceptions have been provided for business travellers, so long as the departure or arrival is approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
Therefore, if you have plans to travel to any of these high-risk countries, identified by the SA government, it might not be the sweetest, most comfortable trip:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Columbia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- France
- Georgia
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Herzegovina
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Luxemburg
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Venezuela