Tourism sector ‘thrilled’ at scrapping of PCR tests for jabbed tourists

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Tuesday night, promising that the state of disaster will soon be replaced by government’s new health regulations. 

National chair of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), Rosemary Anderson, says the removal of the PCR tests have been a boom to most countries. 

“As Fedhasa we are absolutely thrilled that the compulsory PCR test has finally been lifted for vaccinated inbound travellers to SA, after many, many months of campaigning for this.

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“We can now say that we are open for business like our African sister countries who really benefited by removing compulsory test sometime before us. At the moment South Africa’s hotel occupancy rate is 20% and 30%. Countries like Botswana are already 80%, Kenya 85% , Namibia 60% and Uganda is now reaching hotel occupancy exceeding 2019 figures.”

Meanwhile David Frost, CEO of Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) says as much as they welcome the decision, it’s come too late.

“SATSA welcomes the removal of the PCR requirements, this is certainly going to make a major impact in terms of our tourism recovery. It’s the last major impediment.

“But in many ways, it’s come too late. Botswana removed this six weeks ago and we are still shackled with having to try and undo a huge wad of draft regulations. The way these have been approached to our mind is totally ill-conceived.”

Frost says government should be in discussion with its major economic sectors.

“And the point of discussion should be economic growth and recovery and not a draconian using yesterday’s science to try regulate a fluid situation. 

“We are confidant that we will be able to overturn those regulations but it’s just appalling that effort is going to undoing something like, rather than focusing on the positive economic growth and job creation we sorely need.”