Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement yesterday (November 11) that South Africa’s borders are now open to all countries, the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has promulgated updated Lockdown Level 1 Regulations.
Contained within the Government Gazette the following regulations pertain to international travel and border reopenings:
- The 18 land borders that were partially operational, will now be fully operational and the 34 land borders that were closed, will remain closed.
- All international travel will resume subject to the traveller providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel
- In the event of the traveller's failure to submit a certificate of proof of a negative test, the traveller will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own cost
- International travel remains restricted to the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
- Cape Town International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport (Durban)
- All commercial seaports will reopen
- Small craft will be allowed entry into seaports in line with health and border law enforcement protocols
- The resumption of visa application services shall be determined in directions issued by the Cabinet Member responsible for Home Affairs
- The Cabinet Member responsible for Home Affairs in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Health and Transport must develop International Travel Containment Protocols to be issued in directions, to ensure that entry into South African ports of entry will only be allowed subject to adherence, to ensure COVID-19 positive travellers are not allowed into the Republic.
Specific economic exclusions:
- Night clubs
- Passenger ships for international leisure purposes, excluding small craft, in-line with health and border law enforcement protocols
- Attendance at any sporting event by spectators
- International sports events
