The US lifted all restrictions on Southern African countries again on 31 December 2021. According to a Biden administration official, the Omicron variant is so widespread in the US that travellers from South Africa won’t have a significant effect on cases, reports BusinessTech.
The United States initially halted travel to South Africa for 20 months before finally opening its borders to South Africa in November. This was short-lived, however, as the discovery of Omicron caused the US government to once again ban travel to and from South Africa on 29 November 2021.
Mayoral committee member for economic growth in Cape Town, Alderman James Vos welcomed the news that the US will once again open up to South Africa. ‘This is especially good news as we prepare to start 2022,’ Vos said in a statement. ‘It gives renewed focus to economic recovery and will offer a much-needed boost to Capetonians who work in tourism and related industries.’
‘A few weeks ago, we saw the welcome return of the United Airlines direct flight from New York to Cape Town International Airport. Securing and maintaining routes to destinations such as these is essential to Cape Town and South Africa’s tourism industry.’
The much anticipated United Airlines flight, the only line that provides non-stop transatlantic flights between North America and South Africa will once again commence with United Airlines happy to reinstate the route.
‘United looks forward to once again welcoming South Africans and citizens of other Southern African countries on its flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to the US from December 31, 2021,’ an airline statement read. United continues to follow all government requirements related to international travel.’
All passengers travelling to America are required to provide their proof of vaccination, contact tracing information and a negative Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours.
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