COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in South Africa (16 July Update)

Can a citizen enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreign nationals in South Africa with an expired visa that was issued for up to 90 days may legally remain in South Africa until 30 September 2021. For all other visas and permits that have expired, travellers must apply for extensions to the Department of Home Affairs on or before 30 September 2021.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

• Yes

• Transit through South Africa is allowed. Travellers must remain airside and must have a paper copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours prior to departure. The test should be performed by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who performed the test. Travellers failing to provide the certificate, or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 may be required to quarantine at a government facility. Children below the age of 5 are exempt from this requirement.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• No with exceptions

• Travellers arriving without a valid test certificate may undergo an antigen test at their own expense upon arrival or be required to enter quarantine at their own expense.

• Anyone eligible to enter the country will undergo health screening on arrival. Travellers presenting symptoms will be required to remain in quarantine until a COVID-19 test is performed.

*Test certificate allowed? *

• Yes

• Test certificates obtained outside of South Africa are accepted.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All arriving travellers through air or land borders will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72-hours prior to their departure from the first embarkation point. Travellers below five years of age are exempt from this requirement.

• Business travellers providing services across the borders between South Africa and the Southern African Development Community are allowed multiple entries. However, they must produce a certificate of negative COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure. This certificate is valid for 14 days.

• Travellers arriving without a valid test certificate may undergo an antigen test at their own expense upon arrival or be required to enter quarantine at their own expense.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers arriving with a negative test certificate are not required to self-isolate. Those failing to provide a pre-departure negative COVID-19 certificate will be required to do an antigen test on arrival. Travellers exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or testing positive must enter quarantine at a government facility for at least 10 days at their own expense.

• Airline crew are also subject to self-isolation if they do not have a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate issued within 72 hours prior to departure from their embarkation point.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or will be required to enter quarantine for a maximum of 10 days.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

*Insurance required? *

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All travellers will need to complete a health form on arrival and show proof of accommodation.

• All travellers are required to complete and produce an online travel health questionnaire on their personal device, within 48 hours prior to their departure to South Africa. The questionnaire is available from the South Africa Department of Health website.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All arriving travellers will need to install a COVID Alert South Africa mobile app during their stay in South Africa.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic flight services have resumed with limited operations. Travellers should check with the airline before travelling due to changes caused by COVID-19 variant strains of the virus.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Entry and exit to South Africa via some land borders remain restricted. However, twenty land borders have opened. Borders that are open with Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe include: Botswana (Kopfontein, Groblersbridge, Skilpadshek, and Ramathbama); Lesotho (Maserubridge, Ficksburg, Van Rooyensgate, Qachasneck, Caledonspoort, and Sanipass); eSwatini (Oshoek, Golela, Jeppes Reef, Mananga, and Mahamba); Namibia (Nakop and Vioolsdrift); Mozambique (Lebombo and Kosi Bay); and Zimbabwe (Beitbridge).

• Commercial seaports are open.

• Small-craft passenger maritime travel and freight transport are allowed.

• Cruise ships are not allowed to dock at this time.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• The “National State of Disaster” has been extended until 25 July. This will entail continued enforcement of restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, restrictions have been strengthened until 25 July. Additional details on the restrictions can be found here.

• A nationwide curfew is in effect from 21:00 to 04:00 (local time).

Social distancing restrictions

• Significant

• All gatherings, including social, political, and religious gatherings remain banned until 25 July.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• The KwaZulu-Natal Passenger Rail Agency has resumed its services.

• Public transportation services (buses and taxis, private vehicles, and app-based transport services) are allowed to operate with reduced numbers of passengers.

• Travel to and from Gauteng remains banned until further notice.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Retail outlets are allowed to reopen.

• All non-essential services must close by 20:00 (local time).

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Guesthouses, hotels, and private rental accommodation are currently open with strict public health regulations. Arriving travellers will have their temperature checked and will be asked to complete a declaration form stating that they have no COVID-19 symptoms. They may be asked to provide a previous travel history.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are allowed to provide dining-in, takeaway and delivery services at a limited capacity.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Bars and cafes are only allowed to provide takeaway and delivery services. The sale of alcohol is banned.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Public spaces, like beaches and parks, can stay open – but gatherings are banned.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open for limited hours.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Health clubs, fitness, and yoga centres are allowed to operate for limited hours and may have capacity restrictions.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Places of worship are open with a limit on the number of attendees.

*Events allowed? *

• No with exceptions

• All social, political, and religious gatherings remain prohibited.

• Funerals may host a maximum of 50 people.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Everyone must wear a face mask and maintain a minimum of 1.5-meter distance in public places. Children aged six years or younger are not required to wear a face mask.

• Face masks are compulsory on public transport and inside public buildings, and fines are issued for those not complying.

Other

• Nightclubs remain closed.

• Schools remain closed at least until 26 July.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.