South Africa Is All Set To Welcome International Travellers From October 1

Here’s #SomeGoodNews for those of you who had to put their South African holiday plans on hold due to the COVID-19-induced travel bans; the paradise is now ready to welcome international travellers starting October 1. By Kumar Shree

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address on September 16, said that the country is now all prepared to welcome back international tourists. The move aims to revive the country’s economy, especially the tourism sector that has taken a huge setback because of the six-month-long lockdown. South Africa is heavily dependent on tourism for its revenue, as around 17 million tourists visit the country every year.

 

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As reported by Reuters, President Ramaphosa, in a televised address said, “We will be allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020.”

He however added that travelling to and from certain countries with high infection rate might still be restricted. In some cases, travellers will be allowed to visit South Africa only after they meet certain conditions. The list of these countries and the conditions for arrival are yet to be updated.

During his address, President Ramaphosa also said, “Our economy and our society have suffered great devastation. We have endured a fierce and destructive storm. But, by standing together, by remaining resolute, we have withstood it. We are ready to open our doors again to the world and invite travellers to enjoy our mountains, our beaches, our vibrant cities and our wildlife game parks in safety and confidence.”

 

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He further requested citizens to always wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times to make sure the number of cases do not rise again.

Meanwhile, as far as entry into South Africa is concerned, some of the requirements include — every traveller must carry a PCR negative result taken 72 hours prior to departure. Those with a negative test certificate can skip the quarantine, while those without the certificate must undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Health screening upon arrival is a must for all, even those with a negative certificate. Any symptomatic person can be sent for testing and/or quarantine.

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