South Africa’s international travel rules released

Posted by Imogen Searra on 12 November 2020

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has released the gazette that details the new updates under Alert Level 1.

President Ramaphosa announced that all international travel restrictions will be lifted in his address on Wednesday, November 11. The new changes were brought into effect on midnight, November 12.

Here are the updates on what to expect under Alert Level 1, which has been extended to December 15.

Land borders partial reopening

The 18 land borders which were partially reopened, will now be fully operational. However the 34 land borders which were closed completely, will remain so.

International travel to and from South Africa

Travelling in to and out of South Africa is allowed under these conditions:

The traveller providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel;
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 him or herself at his or her own costs.

International inbound and outbound travel is limited to the Golden Triangle airports:

OR Tambo International Airport:
King Shaka International Airport;
Cape Town International Airport.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, will issue directions pertaining to the resumption of visa application services.

‘The Cabinet member responsible for home affairs in consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for health and transport must develop International Travel Containment Protocols to be issued in directions to ensure that entry into South African ports of entry will only be allowed subject to adherence to ensure COVID-19 positive travelers are not alowed into the Republic,’ says Minister Dlamini-Zuma.

Read the full gazette here.

Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) has in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 issued and gazetted amendments to directions relating the partial re-opening of borders and sale as well as dispensing of liquor. pic.twitter.com/xFNXE1yw5u

— NationalCoGTA (@NationalCoGTA) November 12, 2020