[ad_1]
Editor’s note – Coronavirus cases remain high across the world. Health officials warn that travel increases your chances of catching and spreading the virus. Staying at home is the best way to contain transmission. Below is information on what to know if you’re still planning to travel, last updated on March 25.
The basics
South Africa reopened to travelers at the end of 2020, and the country relaxed its strict daily restrictions on February 28. However, this is not all good news. The South African variant of Covid-19 is believed to spread faster and vaccines are potentially less effective against it. This means that many countries have imposed flight restrictions.
What’s on offer
Breathtaking coastline, bustling cities, wine country and, of course, the Big Five – South Africa is truly a top destination. Most tourists combine a safari – the 7,523 square mile Kruger National Park in the northeast of the country is one of Africa’s largest game reserves – with a city break on the Cape Coast coast. . But there is so much more to offer: sprawling, tree-lined Johannesburg is one of the world’s largest man-made forests; by the sea, Durban, home to much of South Africa’s Indian population, is one of the best places in the world for a curry; and other natural havens are all over the country, including iSimangaliso Wetland, whose Zulu name, “something wonderful”, is the perfect description. And of course, there’s Soweto, the township outside Johannesburg, whose museums bring home the horrors of apartheid and whose restaurants are some of the best in the city.
Who can go
Anyone can visit, subject to usual visa regulations. There are strict protocols to follow – see below.
What are the restrictions?
Screening is underway at all points of entry.
Transits are also allowed, but again you must present the same negative PCR test.
Of South Africa’s land borders, 33 are closed, 20 are open, including Beitbridge, Lembombo and Ficksburg.
What is the Covid situation?
South Africa has recorded 1.54 million infections and more than 52,000 deaths as of March 25.
While this is by no means the highest death or infection rate, the South African variant of the disease appears to spread more easily. There are also concerns that vaccines may be slightly less effective against it – although it is believed that they still offer protection against serious illnesses.
Countries around the world quickly banned flights when the variant was discovered.
What can visitors expect?
On February 28, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the relaxation of restrictions from Level 3 to Level 1. This means that there is a reduced curfew in place, from midnight to 4 a.m. (previously it started to 23 hours). No alcohol can be sold during these hours and restaurants typically chose an hour earlier to allow staff and customers to return home before curfew.
Gatherings are now allowed – the maximum number of participants is 100 indoors and 250 outdoors.
Wearing a mask is compulsory on public transport and inside public buildings, and fines are imposed on those who do not comply.
South Africa’s world-famous beaches were closed in previous lockdowns, but are currently open.
Useful links
Our last blanket
CNN’s Julia Buckley contributed to this report
Source link
