No UK or US tourists allowed in SA for now, says govt
Leisure travellers from 57 high-risk countries will not be allowed to enter South Africa at present, the government announced on Wednesday.
Travellers from the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Switzerland, United States, and Ukraine - among others - will not be permitted to enter the country due to the prevalence of Covid-19 in their respective countries.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, together with several of her cabinet colleagues, briefed the media ahead of the country opening its borders on October 1.
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Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country was moving to level 1 of the lockdown, which meant that the country's borders will open for business and leisure travel for international traveller’s subject to several restrictions.
"On 20th September 2020, President Ramaphosa announced that the country was moving to Alert Level 1 of the Risk Adjusted Approach. Under Alert #Level1, the country eased some of the stringent restrictions which were imposed on citizens under lockdown." - Minister Pandor pic.twitter.com/8ypwSx8vx8
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 30, 2020
“Government had to look at World Health Organization criteria to determine which countries may be high, medium or low risk,” said Pandor.
She said travellers that intend to visit the country must produce a Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours from the time of departure of their country of origin.
Upon arrival, travellers will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms and screened for contact with people who were infected with the virus.
She did warn that all travellers must have mandatory travel insurance.
"We will allow travellers from the African continent - both for business and leisure purposes.
"If you are found to be positive you will have to undergo 10-day mandatory quarantine at a facility identified by the state but at your own cost because you knew prior to departure that you had to come with a negative test".
Only three airports will be operational for international travel, namely OR Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International Airport.