South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
#18
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
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I'm scheduled to be in SA for the last week in October and first week in November. This is a rescheduled trip from April. I'm hopeful but not optimistic. I have a backup plan (Hawaii) if we can travel domestically and a second backup plan (Grand Canyon) if we can only travel within the CONUS.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
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#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Yes. Worth tracking https://sacoronavirus.co.za for on-going bad news!
#23
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Cape Town
Programs: BA Exec Gold , Qatar Priviledge Club Plat
Posts: 1,584
I am Cape Town based, interesting to read international flyertalk views on the situation here. Yeah things are pretty bad and about to get worse and I'm talking about the economy. Good news expect a cheap holiday with the current exchange rates that will most likely get even better.
I will provide updates here for those who wish to follow along regarding information that may of not hit the media yet or that might not be common knowledge for those overseas - that i think is worth sharing. I am predicting SA international borders open up by October, SA just can't miss out on the tourist season. I am predicting country wide civil unrest if we aren't open by November, the problem is even if the borders are open by then it doesn't mean restaurant will be open - do not be surprised if the country is subjected to a bunch of ridiculous rules that may make your holiday not even worth it.
Dlamini Zuma is the biggest liability currently, wanting alcohol and cigs to be banned until Level 1 which could be god knows when, we are currently on level 4. She also has a big say on what goes down in SA and some of the rules she wants and rules kept are just absolutely f*cking bonkers - like you can not even make it up! Example: Not allowed to buy a short sleeve T-shirt without being able to prove you will be able to wear it under a fully covered item of clothing that extends to your wrists..... what a joker.
( BTW, for those that do find themselves in Cape Town on holiday in the future and if cigs/alcohol is still banned/illegal then let me know and as a special flyertalk courtesy i will provide you with a supply of quality red/white/rose wine, whisky, gin and cigs - just PM me - but hopefully it won't get to that)
I will provide updates here for those who wish to follow along regarding information that may of not hit the media yet or that might not be common knowledge for those overseas - that i think is worth sharing. I am predicting SA international borders open up by October, SA just can't miss out on the tourist season. I am predicting country wide civil unrest if we aren't open by November, the problem is even if the borders are open by then it doesn't mean restaurant will be open - do not be surprised if the country is subjected to a bunch of ridiculous rules that may make your holiday not even worth it.
Dlamini Zuma is the biggest liability currently, wanting alcohol and cigs to be banned until Level 1 which could be god knows when, we are currently on level 4. She also has a big say on what goes down in SA and some of the rules she wants and rules kept are just absolutely f*cking bonkers - like you can not even make it up! Example: Not allowed to buy a short sleeve T-shirt without being able to prove you will be able to wear it under a fully covered item of clothing that extends to your wrists..... what a joker.
( BTW, for those that do find themselves in Cape Town on holiday in the future and if cigs/alcohol is still banned/illegal then let me know and as a special flyertalk courtesy i will provide you with a supply of quality red/white/rose wine, whisky, gin and cigs - just PM me - but hopefully it won't get to that)
#24
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Hi, Flame3601, and thanks for the offer of local updates. The view from the ground is at least as important as Government outpourings!
I had previously noted the strange regulations elating to Level 5, which did not inspire me with any confidence that the Govt there had a grip on reality. Your highlight of Dlamini Zuma's thinking does not make us feel better about a December trip. And, certainly, if restaurants and bars in the Western Cape remain closed, there's little point in going anyway! Helpfully we have personal contacts with management at all 3 privately-owned hotels we use, in addition to our regular taxi driver, but additional info from you would be much appreciated,
I had previously noted the strange regulations elating to Level 5, which did not inspire me with any confidence that the Govt there had a grip on reality. Your highlight of Dlamini Zuma's thinking does not make us feel better about a December trip. And, certainly, if restaurants and bars in the Western Cape remain closed, there's little point in going anyway! Helpfully we have personal contacts with management at all 3 privately-owned hotels we use, in addition to our regular taxi driver, but additional info from you would be much appreciated,
#26
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,044
Thanks for the update. Im not a smoker, but the alcohol but no cigs rule seems odd to me. It seems like people are much more likely to make poor decisions while drinking than while smoking.
#27
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#28
Join Date: May 2013
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#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Thanks to Stewie and Flame3601 for the info. Unfortunately my "like" button seems to have stopped working.
My own plan was CPT, PLZ and a few places in-between for a couple of months around Dec/Jan/Feb.
With what I have read here in mind, I am going to hold off on making any bookings at all. It sounds like it could go any which way. Maybe the country will be closed. Maybe it will be officially open but with domestic restrictions that would destroy the trip. Maybe it'll all be ok by then.
If I do go, it will be a last minute booking. I may, however, be looking to find another warm place to ride out the Austrian winter.
Above all, I send my best wishes to @Flame3601, family and friends. I really hope things improve for you there soon.
My own plan was CPT, PLZ and a few places in-between for a couple of months around Dec/Jan/Feb.
With what I have read here in mind, I am going to hold off on making any bookings at all. It sounds like it could go any which way. Maybe the country will be closed. Maybe it will be officially open but with domestic restrictions that would destroy the trip. Maybe it'll all be ok by then.
If I do go, it will be a last minute booking. I may, however, be looking to find another warm place to ride out the Austrian winter.
Above all, I send my best wishes to @Flame3601, family and friends. I really hope things improve for you there soon.