Latest Travel advice South Africa

UPDATE TO COVID-19 REGULATIONS – ADJUSTED LEVEL 4

In response to South Africa entering the third wave of COVID-19 infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country would be placed on adjusted alert level 4, in accordance to the country’s risk adjusted strategy.

The move to adjusted alert level 4 is effective for 14 days as of Monday, 28 June until Sunday 11 July 2021.

The President outlined the following key measures, which have been implemented to combat the rise in infection numbers:

• All gatherings, both indoor and outdoor, are prohibited.
• Funerals and cremations are permitted with attendance is limited to 50 people.
• Public spaces such as beaches and parks will remain open but no gatherings will be permitted in these spaces.
• The times of curfew have been adjusted to between 21h00 – 04h00, daily. All non-essential establishments need to close by 20h00 to allow staff to travel home.
• The sale of alcohol both for onsite and offsite consumption is prohibited.
• Travel in and out of Gauteng for leisure purposes is prohibited. Those that are currently not in their place of residence will be permitted to travel back home.
• Restaurants will only be open for take away and delivery.
• All schools will be closed for the winter holidays by Friday, 2 July 2021.

President Ramaphosa emphasized that these measures are designed to allow for as much economic activity as possible, whilst limiting social contact.

South Africa’s borders remain open and leisure travel between other provinces, other than Gauteng remains open.

The President also gave an update on the vaccination program, with 2.2 million South Africans being vaccinated, as part of phase 2 of the vaccination program, bringing the number up to 2.7 million vaccines administered all together. He also announced that vaccination will soon open for persons aged 50 and above.

In his address, President Ramaphosa attributed the rise in infections to the Delta variant, which was first identified in India and is now in 85 other countries. In South Africa, this variant has been found in five provinces; Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu Natal.

The evidence presented by scientists suggests that the Delta variant is rapidly displacing the Beta variant, which has been dominant in South Africa until now.

The Delta variant is more transmissible than previously circulating variants and is thought to be twice as contagious as the Beta variant.

Find the answer to the questions below here.

What domestic travel is currently allowed?