If you seek to fly for any purpose that does not qualify as travelling, click on the link below for the latest regulations. All rights reserved. Lufthansa was one of the first airlines to announce flights to South Africa. Tourists are not permitted from a list of more than 50 countries, including Russia, Britain and the U.S, which are deemed high risk because of their levels of COVID-19 cases. Here's what you need to know about international travel under lockdown. The Minister of Transport has not yet made any directions available to regulate domestic passenger air travel for leisure purposes. To learn more about cookies, please read our Privacy Policy. The government of South Africa lowered the lockdown alert level for South Africa to level 1 on September 20, 2020. Since May 30, 2020, domestic air travel has been allowed for business travel, as well as for essential travel. The president’s 10 tips for a safer festive season, ‘Healthy New Year is in your hands’ as president introduces festive season precautions. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. The prohibited list has been done away with. The latest figures, issued by the government on Saturday night, showed that confirmed infections then stood at 1 187. COVID-19 Information (Last updated: November 12, 2020) Country-Specific Information: The South African Ministry of Health has confirmed 742,394cases of COVID-19 within its borders. The directive indicates that all international passenger flights are prohibited ... Mbalula outlined the validity of motor vehicle licences and registrations during South Africa’s 21-day lockdown. The arrival deadline for domestic passengers has been extended from one to two hours and limited in-flight catering is allowed. Read our full mailing list consent terms here. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. We have no doubt your friends will love our newsletter as much as you! All rights reserved. Visitors from around the world can now travel to South Africa and will be allowed entry into South Africa, subject to a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure. In practice, South Africans have reported that the airlines they sought to travel with have been able to assist them in applying for the required permission. Africa's most developed economy also reopened its land borders to allow visitors from neighboring countries Botswana, Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. By Staff Reporter Mar 24, 2020 JOHANNESBURG - State owned airline, South African Airways (SAA) announced that all domestic flights will be … *Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news. All domestic flights came to an abrupt halt in March when the country enforced a national lockdown, but will not resume in similar abrupt fashion when the phased economic re-opening starts in May. South Africa will open its international borders on 1 October subject to strict regulations. Under the new regulations hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses may operate. Tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, came to the airport to see the return to travel and said the government is satisfied that all COVID-19 protocols are being observed. South Africa reopened its international borders on October 1, ... allowing the South African Government to ease lockdown and travel restrictions. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. These entities are responsible for ensuring that they adhere to relevant regulations. Thanks for your referral. While Lufthansa carried out a number of repatriation flights during South Africa’s six-month lockdown period, commercial flights were not available. “Essential travel” refers to travel that is urgent and absolutely necessary, such as travelling for medical purposes, or for obtaining other crucial necessities without which one cannot safely go about living. ), {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. #SouthAfricaisTravelReady Although trans-national commercial air travel is permissible under lockdown level one, it is however conditional as many countries battle with fluctuating rates of infection. Tambo International Airport. Virus Outbreak-South Africa International Flights Resume, (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, recently announced that South Africa’s borders is open for all international travel with immediate effect. Click here: Lockdown level 3- What you need to know about travelling and tourism in South Africa. International tourists will not be permitted to leave the hotel if they are not confirmed on a flight leaving South Africa. The directive meant that all … Click here for all the available permits and usage guidelines. Classes of flying activities that are now allowed, are listed here. In compliance with the lockdown measures announced by the South African government on 25 March, Air France’s KLM airlines have decided to suspend all flights between South Africa and Europe. This is dependent on how the coronavirus situation in the country continues. Lockdown level 3- What you need to know about travelling and tourism in South Africa. Is it safe to drive while you’re pregnant? A Lufthansa plane from Germany was the first international flight to arrive Thursday morning at Johannesburg's O.R. Some internal flights ... You should comply with any regulations set out by the South African government during the lockdown. International commercial air travel to South ... Travel in South Africa. South Africans, who remain stuck abroad and were hoping to capitalise on cheaper airfare are waiting with baited breath to see which countries will be on the no-go list. “It was quite overwhelming to see that all the passengers who arrived had no difficulties with understanding what is expected from them to produce,” said Kubayi-Ngubane. Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. South Africa went into lockdown on March 26 and closed its borders. By the looks of it, international flights will either resume in September for a few countries or gradually starting from 2021. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. South Africa has reopened to international flights ending a more than six-month ban on international travel that was part of its restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19. Research has shown that our community newspapers reach 75% of our market while any other daily, weekly or Sunday newspaper doesn’t exceed 20%. For advertisers Lowvelder provides an established product where distribution is guaranteed and you have the upper hand in readership figures. British Airways is to suspend flights from Gatwick Airport and pause operations there during England’s national lockdown. “Because of the lockdown I was waiting for the borders to open," said van Wyk. The author, Helene Eloff, is an admitted attorney and the legal advisor of CTP Limited. Accordingly, this is not yet allowed. South African airlines like FlySafair and Kulula are unlikely to fly during level 3 lockdown. As South African airlines struggle to stay aloft during the pandemic, one low-cost carrier plans to withstand the economic turbulence without a bailout. In March, all air travel was suspended after government announced a national state of disaster and implemented lockdown regulations limiting South Africans’ movement and activities with the purpose of limiting the spread of Covid-19. Caxton Local Media answers some frequently asked questions. All international passenger flights are prohibited except flights authorised by the Minister of Transport. OK. – Is international air travel at all possible? On June 29, 2020, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced the opening of civil aviation activities that were prohibited during South Africa’s three-month lockdown. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green ([email protected]) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff ([email protected]). South Africa, Africa's most industralized economy and a nation of 57 million people, will to go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to … Another traveler, Anne van Wyk, was scheduled to travel to the U.S to see her children. We use cookies to help improve your experience and to show you relevant advertising. South Africa still maintains restrictions on international travel. On June 29, 2020, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced the opening of civil aviation activities that were prohibited during South Africa’s three-month lockdown. “My family is here, and I work for a mine, so I have not seen them in the past seven months. Community newspapers. Business and essential travel are allowed. OR Tambo International, ... Airport facilitated 1,400 landing and departing cargo flights from a day before lockdown in March up to ... St Johns as rowdy revellers take over South Africa . For now this has necessitated that all SAA operated flights (domestic, and regional) continue to be suspended until end December 2020. It has been difficult trying to come back home,” he said. South Africa has recorded one fatality. Flights from Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe quickly followed. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Flights will begin operating from OR Tambo International and Lanseria airports in Johannesburg, and from Cape Town and Durban in phase one of … Those who travel by air are subjected to sanitisation and other measures to limit the spread of the virus. Airports in Cape Town and Durban have also resumed international traffic. The trickle of travelers brought a resumption of business to the normally busy Johannesburg airport. All international flights operated by South African Airways would be suspended until end January 2021. Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Copyright © 2020 Caxton & CTP Printers and Publishers Ltd. Air travel during lockdown: the South African traveller’s guide, Bheki Cele says Mpumalanga crime stats need to change, Ducati Streetfighter – and a bike named Isabella, Dans- en drama-produksie vier die seisoene van die lewe, VIDEO: Using social media ‘could lead to depression within six months’. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. "My children are in the states so I am going to visit them now, it is the first time that it is possible to do that.”. Between April and June, a number of repatriation flights were co-ordinated … These flights helped to send people in Dubai back home to South Africa. Contact may be established with the ministry via e-mail at [email protected]. Their respective Embassies will be informed and it will then be up to the Embassy to arrange a charter for its citizens to be repatriated and the necessary arrangements made and approvals sought from South African authorities to do so. Photo: Lufthansa. South Africa has recently entered level 3 of its phased reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, easing many restrictions that were imposed during … NOTES ISSUED BY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT – FLYING ACTIVITIES ALLOWED. Travelers must also have proof of travel insurance to cover a COVID-19 test and quarantine costs, should they have symptoms during their visit. Both FlySafair, the country’s largest domestic airline, and South African Airlines (SAA) will not operate any flights when the national Covid-19 lockdown is eased in May. South African Airways (SAA) is currently retaining its domestic schedule, as published between Johannesburg and Cape Town, with effect from mid-June 2020. OR Tambo, King Shaka, Cape Town, Lanseria, Bram Fischer, Kruger Mpumalanga, Port Elizabeth and Upington International Airports as well as Pietermaritzburg, Richardsbay and Skukuza Airports. Travelers arriving on international flights must provide a negative COVID-19 test issued no more than 72 hours before their departure. Chris Nyamkondiwa, who works in Zambia, said he was happy to return to his home in South Africa to see his family for the first time since the lockdown began. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? More airlines cancel domestic flights during Covid-19 lockdown 24 March 2020 - 20:56 By TimesLIVE SAA, FlySafair and Comair announced on Tuesday the cancellation of domestic flights during … ... tests and flights into South Africa. Comair to send staff home, suspend all flights during lockdown 24 March 2020 - 11:24 By Naledi Shange From March 27 to April 17, all Comair employees will be staying at home. Accordingly, SAA is focusing on ensuring operational readiness to resume flights once permissible. Lockdown: The only flights still operating in South Africa If you look closely enough, you will see that some flights are still operating in South Africa during lockdown - but each have their reasons. South Africa has reopened to international flights ending a more than six-month ban on international travel that was part of its restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19. Although South Africa is travel ready, demand for domestic air travel has been significantly reduced, therefore to avoid over-capacity and to ensure commercial viability SAA has taken the decision to only operate our marketing (SA) flight numbers. As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. If you will move between provinces, legal experts generally advise that you have the correct permit with you. The list will be reviewed every two weeks.