- Entry Restrictions
International travel to South Africa has been permitted to resume, though it is restricted to three airports (Cape Town [CPT], Durban [DUR] and Johannesburg [JNB]). Travelers arriving in South Africa are subject to medical screening and must install the COVID Alert South Africa Mobile App (Android iOS).
Visa-free entry for nationals of France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, the United States, Hong Kong (SAR) and the United Kingdom has been reinstated.
Travelers entering or transiting through South Africa must possess a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testthat was taken within 72 hours from the time of departure to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such test. Travelers below the age of 5 are exempt from the pre-departure test requirement.
International travelers should possess mandatory travel insurance which is supposed to cover the COVID-19 test and quarantine costs.
Starting 17 December 2020, the South African Health Department is launching a pilot program for a new web-based Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ) that all international travelers must complete within 48 hours prior to their departure. Upon completing the THQ, travelers will receive a look-up ID which they will be required to present to the health officials at the port of entry in South Africa to proceed with the on-arrival screening process.
2. Quarantine/Self-Isolation Requirements
Travelers arriving in South Africa a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued prior to departure to South Africa are subject to quarantine at their own expense. Travelers will need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to self-quarantine at the time of arrival in South Africa. A 10-day self-quarantine is required if a traveler’s on-arrival COVID-19 test comes back positive.
Please note that this page is updated on an ongoing basis, but COVID-19 related restrictions and policies are subject to frequent and sudden change, often with little to no advance notice to the public. Therefore, to ensure that you have the latest updates, we recommend that you reach out to T&S at emea@tandslaw.com for additional information.
