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Sabi Sands Covid-19 Coronavirus Travel Updates – South Africa – Kruger National Park

By March 16, 2021October 17th, 2022Travel Advice, News

South Africa Travel Updates - Sabi Sands Game Reserve - Kruger National Park

Traveling to and from the Republic from neighbouring countries is allowed: Provided that travellers who are:
(a) fully vaccinated must upon arrival at the land border, produce, a valid vaccination certificate; and
(b) unvaccinated must upon arrival at the land border, provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.

All international travellers arriving at the Ports of Entry who are- (i) fully vaccinated must upon arrival at the Port of Entry, produce a valid vaccination certificate; and (ii) unvaccinated must upon arrival at the Port of Entry, provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that a number of South Africa’s lockdown regulations will be relaxed as the country moves to an adjusted level 1 lockdown from Friday (1 October).

In a national address on Thursday evening, the president said that the country is making progress in its fight against the coronavirus and that the country has now officially exited its third wave of Covid-19 infections.

The third wave, which lasted more than 130 days, saw a peak of around 20,000 new cases a day, the president said.

“In the last seven days, the average number of new cases was at around 1,800 a day. There are also sustained decreases in Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths in all provinces. This is news that is welcome to all of us.

“Naturally, we all want to resume many of the activities that we have been unable to do for much of the past two years. We want to attend traditional rituals, birthday parties, weddings, and other social functions freely with our friends and family.”

The president said that these freedoms are within the country’s reach, but will only be possible if all South Africans are vaccinated and continue to follow lockdown protocols.

As the cases decrease, he said that the country will move to lockdown level 1 on Friday and that restrictions will be eased in the following areas:

- The hours of the curfew will now run from 00h00 – 04h00;

- Non-essential establishments will need to close by 23h00 to allow employees and patrons to return home before curfew;

- The number of people permitted to attend indoor gatherings will increase to 750 people, while up to 2,000 people may attend outdoor gatherings;

- Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.

- The sale of alcohol will be permitted according to the normal licensing provisions, but no alcohol may be sold over 23h00;

- The wearing of masks in public places remains mandatory.

Level 1 October 21 Curfew

 

President Ramaphosa said that the government is also considering the further relaxing of restrictions around sporting and cultural events, with an announcement set to be made at a later date.

 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has relaxed South Africa’s lockdown regulations as the country sees a decline in its third wave of Covid-19 cases. However, there are several activities that South Africans are still expressly prohibited from doing.

In a government gazette published on Sunday evening (12 September) detailing the adjusted level 2 lockdown, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that the following activities are still expressly prohibited:

  1. Night vigils;
  2. After-funeral and cremation gatherings, including ‘after tears’ gatherings;
  3. Night clubs;
  4. The country’s land borders remain closed – except for specific border posts;
  5. Passenger ships for international leisure purposes – excluding small crafts
  6. Attendance of any sporting events by spectators.

The gazette also leaves room for further exclusions specific to the public transport and education sectors, which those respective departments would determine.

UPDATE: 11 July 2021: Level 4 lockdown extended!!

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended South Africa’s level 4 lockdown for another 14 days, with restrictions remaining in place until 25 July.

In a national address on Sunday (11 July), Ramaphosa said that the last two weeks of restrictions were necessary to curb the third wave of infections in South Africa which has been caused by the Delta variant of Covid-19.

At present, the country has over 200,000 active Covid-19 cases, the president said. In the last two weeks over 4,200 South Africans have lost their lives to Covid-19.

“Our health system countrywide remains under pressure. By next week, daily hospital admissions across the country are likely to reach the levels observed during the peak of the first two waves.
Covid-19 related deaths in hospitals are also increasing, and have surpassed those observed at the peak of the first wave,” the president said.

Read more here....

 

UPDATE: 28 June 2021: SA moves to level 4 lockdown!!
Here are the new restrictions

level 4 lockdown july 2021 south africa

South Africa is open to international travel, subject to health and safety protocols. South African citizens and permanent residents are allowed entry into South Africa regardless of where they are travelling from, provided they adhere to the entry requirements (see below). Any South Africans wanting to travel overseas must check the destination entry requirements and latest international travel information, as many borders are still closed to South Africans.

South Africa is currently under Level 3 lockdown where a curfew of 22:00 - 04:00 has been instated. This curfew may affect your flight schedule, so please check with the airline you are flying.

Please note that all information on this page is accurate and reliable at the time of publication, however, it may not reflect the very latest updates on travel bans and restrictions. It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to stay updated on the latest travel regulations.

South Africa moves to LEVEL 3 Lockdown - 15 June 2021

International entry requirements into South Africa

ic check A valid passport and E-Ticket
ic check*Visa to enter South Africa (if applicable)
ic check Upon arrival into South Africa, all travellers must present a negative PCR or Covid-19 test certificate not older than 72 hours from departure time from the country of origin. Tests must be conducted and signed by a certified medical practitioner. South African authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of test certificates.
ic check Passengers and crew entering South Africa via Johannesburg must fill in the digital Travel Health Questionnaire here. Once completed, you will be issued a unique number (look-up ID), to present to the Port Health Officers as part of the screening process, along with any other entry requirements.
ic checkChildren below the age of 5 years do not need to provide a PCR test. Children over 5 years must produce a negative PCR test to enter South Africa. Should your child display positive symptoms or a parent tests positive while in South Africa, children below 6 years old may self-isolate with the parent without needing a test. Children under 2 years old do not have to wear masks on airplanes.
ic check Any traveller who exhibits Covid-19 symptoms when screened upon arrival will be required to take a Covid-19 test at their own expense. Should the test display positive results, travellers will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 10 days at their own expense.
ic check All travellers must complete an Entry Health Screen Form either prior to or on arrival.
ic check All travellers will be screened by Port Health Officials upon arrival and departure. Those presenting symptoms must remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is carried out.
ic checkAll travellers must wear masks at all times within the airport or port of entry. Children below six years old do not need to wear face masks in public spaces.
ic check Travellers must show proof of accommodation or address in South Africa in the event self-quarantine is required.
ic check The following airports are open for international travel: OR Tambo in Johannesburg, Lanseri Airport in Joburg, King Shaka in Durban, Cape Town International Airport, and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit.
ic check Long-term visas will be reinstated and South African visa application centers abroad will be opened.
ic check Travellers are encouraged to install the COVID Alert SA mobile app.
 We will assist you with the process of your Covid-19 test while on safari with Sabi Sands Lodges Reservations
UPDATE: 15 June 2021: SA moves to level 3 lockdown!!

Covid3

 UPDATE: 28 February 2021: South Africa moves to level 1 lockdown!!
Sunday, February 28, 2021

With a fall in new COVID-19 cases, South Africa will move from Level 3 to Level 1 of the Risk Adjusted Strategy tonight.

Addressing the nation on developments in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Cabinet had taken this decision earlier today.

Under Level 1 of the lockdown, the country’s curfew will move from 11 pm to 4am, to midnight to 4 am. 

The move will also result in gatherings-- including religious, social, political and cultural gatherings--being permitted, subject to limitations on size, adherence to social distancing and other health protocols.

south africa covid 19 travel 1    south africa covid 19 travel 4

UPDATE: 28 December 2020: SA moves to level 3 of lockdown!!
UPDATE: 11 November 2020: South Africa reopens its borders and lifts ban on international travel 
UPDATE: 16 September 2020: Lockdown Level 1 - Borders are open to international visitors

UPDATE 17 August 2020: Lockdown Level 2 - Inter Provencial Travel Permitted in South Africa - ALMOST THERE!

Update: Lockdown eased & leisure travel permitted within your province! 
read more......

Update 15 August 2020: Phased reopening of international travel to South Africa
Reports that South Africa’s international tourism will only reopen in 2021 are premature as South Africa’s Risk-Adjusted Strategy is based on levels of lockdown, not dates.
Continue Reading.......

South African National Parks (SANParks) just announced that accommodation in the majority of parks will be open as from 14 August 2020 and Guided Overland Safari Vehicles (OSVs) will be permitted as soon as the regulations pertaining to their operations are gazetted.
South Africa's COVID-19 Update

South Africa - Coronavirus Covid-19 Travel Resources

South African Government International Travel Information - Covid-19 Coronavirus

South Africa Coronavirus Covid-19 Testing Facilities

South Africa Covid-19 Test Bookings

South African Ministry of Tourism

South African Travel & Tourism News & Information

On Sunday 28 February 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation to announce a significant easing of COVID-19 restrictions. March 5 will mark one year since the first COVID-19 case was recorded in the country. New hospital admissions, daily infections and deaths have decreased significantly and are declining steadily. The President said the nation can be proud of SA’s medical response, which has been recognized globally.

President Ramaphosa indicated that South Africa had clearly emerged from the second wave of the pandemic because people observed protocols, stuck to tighter restrictions and benefitted from accumulating immunity. This has resulted in a steadily declining rate of infections

The country will now immediately move to ease restrictions on movement and activity, from adjusted Level 3 to Level 1.

This means that most of the existing restrictions on economic activity have been lifted, with a high consumption spending bolstered by the steady recovery in employment expected as a result, businesses are also expected to slowly start implementing plans that have been put on hold due to the pandemic.

Combined with the structural reforms announced in recent weeks, it is anticipated that “the green shoots” seen in the economy will begin to take hold.

The President said vaccines are the most decisive measures to combat COVID-19, but that the pandemic can only be overcome if the nation continues to practice all other prevention measures. He said defeating the pandemic and accelerating our economic recovery were linked to rigorous adherence to health protocols.

Some key highlights of the restrictions that have been eased include:

> The hours of the curfew will now be from 12am to 4am
> Gatherings are permitted, subject to limitations on size and social distancing, including religious, social, political and cultural gatherings with a maximum number of people of 100 for indoor and 250 for outdoor gatherings. If the venue is too small, no more than 50% of capacity of the venue may be used. Night vigils, before or after funerals are not permitted and nightclubs remain closed

> No alcohol to be sold during curfew hours

> Wearing of masks remains compulsory, failure to do so is a fineable offence

The closure of the 33 land ports of entry will remain in place. The other 20 border posts that have been open, will remain open. These land borders include, Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru, Oshoek, Kopfontein and Ficksburg.

The five major airports remain open for domestic and international travel – OR Tambo, Cape Town International, King Shaka, Kruger and Lanseria.

South Africa - COVID-19 Vaccine Information

A vaccine is intended to provide immunity against COVID-19.

In general, vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism that triggers an immune response within the body. This weakened version will not cause the disease in the person receiving the vaccine, but it will prompt their immune system to respond.

Some vaccines require multiple doses, given weeks or months apart. This is sometimes needed to allow for the production of long-lived antibodies and development of memory cells.

In this way, the body is trained to fight the specific disease-causing organism, building up memory against the pathogen so it can fight it in the future.

Herd immunity

When a lot of people in a community are vaccinated, the pathogen has a hard time circulating because most of the people it encounters are immune. So the more that others are vaccinated, the less likely people who are unable to be protected by vaccines are at risk of even being exposed to the harmful pathogens. This is called herd immunity.

But no single vaccine provides 100% protection, and herd immunity does not provide full protection to those who cannot safely be vaccinated. But with herd immunity, these people will have substantial protection, thanks to those around them being vaccinated. Vaccinating not only protects yourself, but also protects those in the community who are unable to be vaccinated.

Process is followed before a vaccine is given to the public

Before COVID-19 vaccines can be delivered:

  1. The vaccines must be proven safe and effective in large clinical trials.
  2. A series of independent reviews of the efficacy and safety evidence is required.
  3. The evidence must also be reviewed for the purpose of policy recommendations on how the vaccines should be used.
  4. An external panel of experts convened by WHO, called the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), analyzes the results from clinical trials.
  5. The panel then recommends whether and how the vaccines should be used.
  6. Officials in individual countries decide whether to approve the vaccines for national use and develop policies for how to use the vaccines in their country based on the WHO recommendations.

Steps taken to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine is safe

COVID-19 vaccines go through a rigorous, multi-stage testing process, including large trials that involve tens of thousands of people. These trials, which include people at high risk for COVID-19, are specifically designed to identify any common side effects or other safety concerns.

Once a clinical trial shows that a COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, a series of independent reviews of the efficacy and safety evidence is required, including regulatory review and approval in the country where the vaccine is manufactured, before WHO considers a vaccine product for prequalification.

An external panel of experts convened by WHO analyzes the results from clinical trials, along with evidence on the disease, age groups affected, risk factors for disease, and other information. The panel recommends whether and how the vaccines should be used.

Necessity of vaccines

There is overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccination is the best defence against serious infections. Vaccines do not give you the virus, rather it teaches your immune system to recognise and fight the infection.

The COVID-19 vaccine presents the body with instructions to build immunity and does not alter human cells. Vaccine have reduced the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases such as smallpox, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, measles, tetanus, whooping cough and pneumococcal conjugate across the world.

Vaccinating enough people would help create herd immunity and stamp out the disease.

Safety

Vaccines undergo rigorous trials to ensure they are safe and effective. All vaccines go through a comprehensive approval process by medical regulators to ensure that they are safe. Pharmaceutical companies hand over all laboratory studies and safety trials to validate that the vaccine does work.

Government is working closely with South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to ensure there is no delay approving the vaccine for use.

The Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine has already been approved by various regulators around the world and is being rolled out in other countries.

Any safety concerns are picked up by regulators when reviewing the data. Vaccines are made to save lives - not to oppress, bewitch, possess or indoctrinate people.

First to get the COVID-19 vaccine

We will begin by vaccinating our country’s estimated 1.25 million healthcare workers

South Africa's first vaccine

The first doses of the vaccine are from Johnson & Johnson as its vaccine has proved effective against the COVID-19 501Y.V2 variant. The country has secured 11 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Of these doses, 2.8 million doses will be delivered in the second quarter and the rest spread throughout the year.

Other vaccine suppliers

South Africa reached an agreement with the COVAX Facility to secure 12 million vaccine doses. This will be complemented by other vaccines that are available to South Africa through the African Union’s African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team facility. Pfizer has committed 20 million vaccine doses commencing with deliveries at the end of the first quarter. Government continues to work with various pharmaceuticals companies to ensure we immunise 67 per cent of the population.

Delay in acquiring a COVID-19 vaccine

There has been no deliberate delay to access the COVID-19 vaccine, as the situation remains fluid; all factors have to be taken into account. We are selecting vaccines on their safety and efficacy, ease of use, storage, distribution, supply sustainability and cost

Distribution of the vaccine

Our rollout of the vaccine will take a three-phase approach that begins with the most vulnerable in our population. Our target is to vaccinate 67% of the population by the end of 2021, which will allow us to achieve herd immunity.

Phase 1 will focus on frontline healthcare workers

Phase 2 will vaccinate essential workers, persons in congre gate settings, persons over 60 years and persons over 18 years with co-morbidities.

Phase 3 will focus on persons older than 18 years, targeting 22,500,000 of the population.

Purchasing of the COVID-19 vaccine for South Africa

Government will source, distribute and oversee the rollout of the vaccine. Government as the sole purchaser of vaccines will distribute it to provincial governments and the private sector.

A national register for COVID-19 vaccinations will be established. The vaccination system will be based on a pre-vaccination registration and appointment system. All those vaccinated will be placed on a national register and provided with a vaccination card.

A national rollout committee will oversee the vaccine implementation in both the public and private sectors.

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