South-African International Borders are Open

Continent of Africa welcome to visit

South Africa’s borders start to reopen for tourism on 1st October 2020. The good news is that Nigeria and the rest of the African continent are allowed to visit.

At the start flights are limited to the country’s main international airports; Cape Town airport, OR Tambo in Johannesburg and King Shaka in Durban.

The three international airports are ready to facilitate cross-border travel and will obey the measures and protocols that are in place for safe world travel.

SA Border Open

Easy entry requirements

For the safety of tourists, South Africa recommends and will ask travellers to download the ‘Covid Alert South Africa’ mobile app but this is not compulsory.

On arrival, travellers need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure.

All travellers will be screened on arrival and those who show symptoms will be required to have a Covid-19 test.  Where necessary, travellers will need to enter mandatory quarantine facilities at their own cost.

At the moment the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Russia, France and the Netherlands are considered high-risk countries and are not permitted entry into South Africa. The high-risk category is drawn up in terms of the World Health Organisation criteria and will be revised every two weeks.

Recovery of tourism

South Africa announced that they are really looking forward to welcoming visitors once again. The opening of borders is a major milestone towards the recovery of tourism on the African continent. South Africa is among the safest tourist destinations in the world.

After six months of lockdown, South Africa is eager to rejuvenate tourism and share the adventures, game drives, hiking and other unbelievable memorable tourism experiences that the country has to offer.

Amazing holiday destination

South Africa has astounding natural beauty and is more often than not picked as the most amazing holiday destination by tourists. Tourists love the beaches, the luxury accommodation and beautiful coastal drives.  South Africa also has an astonishing variety of marine life; it’s the best place in the world to view whales from beaches and to swim with great white sharks.

With some of the best national parks in the world, South Africa has been rated the finest wildlife destination on earth. It’s the perfect place to experience great sunsets with giraffes or elephants. The country has more species of large mammal than anywhere else in the world.

Share this article

New normal of flying

During lockdown restrictions, airlines and airports reassessed their operational methods for the future.

Airports are showing signs of our ‘new normal’. We take a look at the measures put in place in accordance with post COVID-19 rules.

Masks and sanitizers

Social distance markers divide floor space in front of check-in desks, seats in departure lounges carry stickers warning people to sit apart and perspex protects staff as they assign seats.  Masks and sanitizers are strategically placed at every entrance.

Deep cabin cleaning

Worldwide, the airline industry wants to reassure passengers that air travel is safe and the air on board is ‘virus free’, like the quality of a hospital operating theatre.  Most carriers and airports insist on face masks for passengers and staff.  They also provide hand sanitizers on board and conduct deeper cabin cleaning.

Health certificate

Hong Kong has implemented COVID-19 tests for arrivals and immunity passports could be included as temporary biosecurity measures. They say a health certificate is going to be as important as your visa.

Temperature checks

Flights look different; some airlines do not offer food and magazines are removed. Passengers do not queue for the toilet and some carriers have introduced temperature checks before flights.

Blocked middle seats

Many carriers ensure social distancing is adhered to with blocked middle seats and the physical distancing of 1.5m is implemented in addition to strict hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

Share this article