South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
#1516
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
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.
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.
#1517
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,272
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.
So PCR test requirements will probably continue for another month as will face mask wearing everywhere. Good job in killing the Easter holiday season.
#1518
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
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.
#1519
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CPT
Posts: 70
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by jcmalcolm; Mar 17, 2022 at 9:04 pm
#1520
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: PNW
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,551
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?
Last edited by atcanobbio; Mar 18, 2022 at 1:38 am
#1521
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
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
"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
#1522
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Suffolk
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 120
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
"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
#1523
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
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.
Last edited by T8191; Mar 20, 2022 at 9:03 am
#1524
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 228
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.
I understand this proposal applies to people who are not fully vaccinated.
#1525
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: BAEC Silver, Volare Executive / Skyteam Elite+
Posts: 672
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.
#1526
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 635
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.
#1527
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
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.
#1528
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
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?
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).
#1529
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Time start planning/booking a return …we’ve seriously missed ZA.
#1530
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
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