jsnydcsa

No changes. Unfortunately.

PCR sample is gathered at testing site and then tested at a lab. You cannot gather the sample at "home" and take it somewhere to be tested. It's either gathered at testing site (e.g. an airport location, physicians office, Mediclinic, etc.) then either tested at the same location (if it has a lab) or an off site lab.

thijsseh

So the ‘state of disaster’ is extended for another month. No-one seems to understand quite why, apart that ‘legislation to control outbreaks is not yet in place’ or words to that effect.
So PCR test requirements will probably continue for another month as will face mask wearing everywhere. Good job in killing the Easter holiday season.

anabolism

There are several providers that send at-home collection kits. The customer initiates a video session by which the provider proctors the self-collection. The customer then sends the sample to the provider's lab, typically by overnight service using a provided package. The provider then runs the PCR test and notifies the customer of the result. I considered using such a service for my upcoming trip to South Africa, but because I'm stopping overnight en route and needed the test to serve for both, I didn't have time and had to go to a place with an on-site lab.

jcmalcolm

Actually, if you live in the USA it's quite easy to test from home with a perfectly acceptable PCR test that is fine to travel to SA. No need to visit any lab.

https://www.letsgetchecked.com/pre-f...covid-19-test/

I have used this three times to travel from the USA to SA with absolutely zero issues, the last time was last month. Very efficient service and related app.
The report has all the needed info, including the Doctors name.etc. Fine for the airline check-in. At CPT the person barely looks at the report anyway.

atcanobbio

How long did Port Health take to respond to your Letter of Exemption request? also...mind sharing how you requested the letter? Did you email the email address provided in the FAQ section of the SAcoronavirus.za.co website and included passport copy, initial positive covid test result, and letter of recovery from GP? I submitted my request about 24hrs ago. I fly MEX-LHR-CPT on the 27th. I hope I get it by then. I tested positive on the 2nd, so I really don't want to risk it and want that exemption letter.

I have been following a thread about this on Trip Advisor forums and it seems Port Health has not been doing a good job responding to people's request in a timely manner. It even caused people to be denied boarding at the airport due to the lack of Letter of Exemption.

Edit: just read your previous post in the page before. So when I submitted my email, I never got a confirmation email from them stating that they received my application. Should I be worried?

jsnydcsa

PCR for entry may be going away under the new draft regs published 14 March (with a 30 day comment period).
"on a positive note, the draft regulations suggest the removal of the PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated incoming travellers,"
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/arti...th-regulations

Postdoc

Unfortunately, the draft regulations are also suggesting a 72-hour PCR test or proof of vaccination test prior to leaving SA - regardless of the requirements of the destination country. The phrase 'arse about face' springs to mind. Another nail in the coffin for tourism.

T8191

There are times when I wonder about the mental processes of the ZA government, and this is yet another example! Most unhelpful, as we are just about to start looking to visit at the end of the year. I shall sit on my hands (and GBP) until they get their arses in gear. About to get my 4th vaccination, so hopefully that willl allow me/us to leave the country without further nonsense/costs.

HGOLI

Bizarre isn’t it!
I understand this proposal applies to people who are not fully vaccinated.

drwook

Hmm, my confidence in a 'normal' experience when I head out first week of June is starting to drop.... Is the 'exit PCR test' requirement a confirmed thing that's coming in? If so that's seriously annoying.

konagirl2

I disagree about the implication for tourism. If you are vaccinated you get entry and exit with no testing. Very similar to Botswana, Tanzania etc. If you choose not to get vaccinated there are many hurdles to travel, all around the world. SA are at least allowing you in, provided you take a test before entry and again at exit. Compare that with much of EU where without vaccination you need an exempted reason to travel, it allows tourism, it doesn't kill it?

YorkieFlyer

err sat on the waterfront in Capetown having brekkie now and wondering what your problem is if vaccinated? Sounds like you need a holiday

anabolism

Indeed, it sounds like a good plan (at least until the next immune-evading variant).

We're on the V&A Waterfront in the Mother City as well (although we had brekkie at our hotel across the street). I agree, the new plan sounds easy for those vaccinated (and really, it sounds crazy to want to travel while unvaccinated).

T8191

Yea, I’ve been mis-reading things, as I’m still jet-lagged from our last trip to PHX. 🤪

Time start planning/booking a return …we’ve seriously missed ZA.

YorkieFlyer

its nice here now late summer, just arrived in Franschoek.
Sunny and warm tho the cape doctor blew strongly yesterday afternoon and cooled us down. Our 3rd visit and first to Capetown since covid, tho we were in Kruger, west coast and hit Franschoek just in time for the booze ban Dec 2020, just hit replay and arrived at the Protea to try again.
Capetown felt pretty normal, everyone masked indoors but it’s an outdoor lifestyle dining n all and only a small minority masking up outdoors, police pretty chilled too, quite a contrast to the heavy atmosphere and strict compliance last time
Waterfront was pretty quiet, few foreigners about tho the Americans are back… sunday night was busy but Monday dead, mainly locals out for the weekend