South Africans are ‘discouraged’ but not ‘prohibited’ from travel to high risk countries, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said in a media briefing on October 2.
However, those that choose to visit high-risk countries [assuming the intended destination allows South African passport holders to visit] will have to follow certain protocols on their return, including a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours. If a traveller tests positive for COVID-19 or shows any symptoms, they will have to undergo quarantine.
The United Kingdom is currently on the list of high risk countries.
Department of Transport director-general, Alec Moemi, reassured the public that South Africans who do travel to high risk countries will be allowed back into South Africa. He emphasised Mbablula’s call to refrain travel to high risk countries, however.
‘But the truth is, in terms of our law, the South African Constitution guarantees the right of return for South African citizens, and there is no chance, legally speaking, that we would say to a South African citizen that they can’t come back home. They can come back home, subject to several conditions that we may attach,’ Moemi added.
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