The Republic of South Africa has approved visa-free travel for 11 countries in an effort to boost tourism.
The nation’s Home Affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi made this announcement in a media briefing on last Sunday.
Motsoaledi said that the visa-free status of citizens of some countries and territories was temporarily suspended at the start of the lockdown period.
“In line with the commitment of Government to take urgent steps to address the economic and tourism stagnation brought about by the outbreak of Covid-19, visa-free status of citizens from a number of countries and territories has been reinstated.”
The countries include (bolded are high risk):
- South Korea;
- Spain;
- Italy;
- Germany;
- Hong Kong;
- Singapore;
- USA;
- UK;
- France;
- Portugal;
- Iran.
However, the minister said that visa-free status does not alter the current Covid-19 regulations.
Motsoaledi said he has instructed officials to communicate this decision to the aviation industry, embassies and other stakeholders as a matter of urgency.
“The port managers have been instructed to adhere to the SADC protocol and guidelines regulating the movement of essential goods under Covid-19 regulations.
“The guidelines regulating truck drivers travelling across the border will continue to apply as has been the case for the past seven months,” he said.
The minister said that immigration officers will be required to assess the movement and place of origin of the traveller and not the country of origin of the airline concerned.
“Transit travellers through South Africa by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols but need not produce the 72 hours negative certificate.”
BusinessTech
