South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
Nov 17, 2020, 8:50 am
#766
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
The agent at the check in desk at LHR T5 for BA57 on 14/11 very carefully scrutinised our certificates which showed the time the swab was taken, the time it arrived at the lab, the time the result was available and the time the certificate was sent to me. I am pretty (99%) sure she looks for the time the swab was taken.
The person checking the certificate at the entrance to the immigration queue at JNB was far less thorough (as 'officials' in this part of the world tend to be).
The person checking the certificate at the entrance to the immigration queue at JNB was far less thorough (as 'officials' in this part of the world tend to be).
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ALL TRAVELLERS TO ENTER SOUTH AFRICA?
All travellers are strongly advised to bring a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, not older than 72 hours prior to the start of their travel. If the traveller fails to present a valid test certificate upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller will be required to do a mandatory quarantine at his/her own cost at a designated hotel.
All travellers are strongly advised to bring a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, not older than 72 hours prior to the start of their travel. If the traveller fails to present a valid test certificate upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller will be required to do a mandatory quarantine at his/her own cost at a designated hotel.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Nov 17, 2020 at 3:59 pm Reason: Font size
Nov 18, 2020, 11:44 am
#767
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 309
So it seems PCR is safest option to fly, has anyone over 60 managed to get non FCO list travel insurance that covers covid emergency treatment ( if that is still required after the latest statements)??
I've tried battleface but 59 seems to be the max..
This is getting too hard with less than 3 weeks to go before departure to CPT
I've tried battleface but 59 seems to be the max..
This is getting too hard with less than 3 weeks to go before departure to CPT
High Risk Voyager Travel Insurance
They seem to insure all ages, at least when I tried a quote just now. Whilst we are in our 40s, they provided cover to non FCO destinations and with pre-existing conditions (with some caveats on the conditions).
signol
Nov 18, 2020, 11:52 am
#768
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
For those in the US, I just got a very reasonable quote from aardy.com (Aardvark Insurance). I called their toll free number and the agent who answered my call did a customized quote for our upcoming South Africa trip. They had no hesitation covering me and I am well over 70 (but not over 75).
In all transparency ... I have never done business with them before and I'll be doing some research to verify that they are a reputable business before actually sending in a payment. And I would advise anyone else to do their research first.
In all transparency ... I have never done business with them before and I'll be doing some research to verify that they are a reputable business before actually sending in a payment. And I would advise anyone else to do their research first.
Nov 18, 2020, 1:06 pm
#769
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 79
Technically speaking the gazette doesn't specify either, but of course you also have no control on when the swab is actually processed, so best would be to test within 72 hours.
I'm not sure a swab collected Friday evening would be much different to one collected Saturday morning.
Having had to look at the gazette again I also realized it is saying "Polymerase Chain Reaction ( "PCR ") test certificate or a valid COVID -19 negative test certificate" which would actually suggest other types of tests should also be allowed, however in all press releases/briefings a PCR test was mentioned to be required.
I would say at the end of the day it's all about risk management, if you get a PCR swab done in <72hrs to your flight, you are guaranteed to have no issues, anything else and you risk not allowed to board your flight due to how an airline (employee) interprets the regulations.
I'm not sure a swab collected Friday evening would be much different to one collected Saturday morning.
Having had to look at the gazette again I also realized it is saying "Polymerase Chain Reaction ( "PCR ") test certificate or a valid COVID -19 negative test certificate" which would actually suggest other types of tests should also be allowed, however in all press releases/briefings a PCR test was mentioned to be required.
I would say at the end of the day it's all about risk management, if you get a PCR swab done in <72hrs to your flight, you are guaranteed to have no issues, anything else and you risk not allowed to board your flight due to how an airline (employee) interprets the regulations.
Nov 19, 2020, 12:31 am
#770
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
Righto, so I think I've got travel insurance with covid cover, arranging a PCR test to suit the departure.. So now that it's official international travel can happen, do we need a visa if a UK resident? Must admit I'd totally forgotten about that side of it.. I maybe paranoid but it's so close now that I'm just waiting for a curved ball..
Nov 19, 2020, 4:41 am
#771
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: AA L.T. Plat; UA Platinum
Posts: 328
Aardvark Insurance is reputable and is one of the providers that my tour company recommended. I ended up going with a different company simply because my tour company said they had a close relationship with them and could be of greater assistance if I needed to file a claim.
Nov 19, 2020, 8:11 am
#772
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Aardvark Insurance is reputable and is one of the providers that my tour company recommended. I ended up going with a different company simply because my tour company said they had a close relationship with them and could be of greater assistance if I needed to file a claim.
Nov 19, 2020, 5:57 pm
#773
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: AA L.T. Plat; UA Platinum
Posts: 328
My policy is a Trawick policy and my tour operator says Trawick is the best. It is just a different agent that he recommended. Oddly enough, I priced the Trawick policy directly but the Travel Safe policy seemed to have more options. Operator said that different agents often have different arrangements and offerings with specific carriers. It was simply that he had a good relationship with Travel Safe and could be more of an advocate if I needed to collect on the policy. I bought cancellation without any reason which, while it only pays 75%, it is still better than losing 100%.
Nov 19, 2020, 11:24 pm
#774
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
I see many discussing travel insurance, so I wanted to make sure that travel insurance was not mandatory before finalizing plans. Is it required for travel to SA? Thanks
Nov 20, 2020, 1:05 am
#775
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 635
For visitors from the UK the difficulty is that the UK FCDO is still maintaining their advice against all but essential travel, which places most high-street insurance policies invalid. I personally would never travel without insurance that covers medical and repatriation at a minimum.
Nov 20, 2020, 7:00 am
#776
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
When the announcements were made that international borders were reopening, there was mention in the press releases that foreign travellers would need insurance that would cover the costs of quarantine, if the traveller showed symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus on arrival. Actually, the Gazette (the legislation) only requires that the passenger be quarantined "at his or her cost": https://www.gov.za/sites/default/fil...97gon1199s.pdf
For visitors from the UK the difficulty is that the UK FCDO is still maintaining their advice against all but essential travel, which places most high-street insurance policies invalid. I personally would never travel without insurance that covers medical and repatriation at a minimum.
For visitors from the UK the difficulty is that the UK FCDO is still maintaining their advice against all but essential travel, which places most high-street insurance policies invalid. I personally would never travel without insurance that covers medical and repatriation at a minimum.
If it develops that the government of South Africa does not require documentation of a policy that covers COVID-19 treatment, there are other countries that have started requiring this and I feel it is a good standard for purchasing this type of insurance.
Nov 20, 2020, 8:24 am
#777
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Probably OT, but as C-19 vaccine seems to be in prospect for 2021, I was idly wondering how that will impact Immigration rules?
1. Will a Certificate absolve the 72h PCR swab requirement?
2. What sort of Certificate will be provided, if any?
3. Which Nation will accept what?!
I see further complexities and bureaucracy on the far horizon!! 😢
1. Will a Certificate absolve the 72h PCR swab requirement?
2. What sort of Certificate will be provided, if any?
3. Which Nation will accept what?!
I see further complexities and bureaucracy on the far horizon!! 😢
Nov 20, 2020, 9:25 am
#778
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Although no one has any idea, I think that we are going to go back to the future. Many of us remember having to carry Yellow Fever certificates in order to travel between various parts of the World. While something that those in the "West" may have never dealt with they were a regular part of travel and were WHO, etc approved. I envision a modern adaptation of that whereby when people are vaccinated with approved vaccines in an approved way and properly logged by a national authority that they will probably have the option for either a card based certification or perhaps some sort of smart/number/locator/authenticator.
Nov 20, 2020, 9:59 am
#779
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Although no one has any idea, I think that we are going to go back to the future. Many of us remember having to carry Yellow Fever certificates in order to travel between various parts of the World. While something that those in the "West" may have never dealt with they were a regular part of travel and were WHO, etc approved. I envision a modern adaptation of that whereby when people are vaccinated with approved vaccines in an approved way and properly logged by a national authority that they will probably have the option for either a card based certification or perhaps some sort of smart/number/locator/authenticator.
Nov 20, 2020, 11:19 am
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Although no one has any idea, I think that we are going to go back to the future. Many of us remember having to carry Yellow Fever certificates in order to travel between various parts of the World. While something that those in the "West" may have never dealt with they were a regular part of travel and were WHO, etc approved. I envision a modern adaptation of that whereby when people are vaccinated with approved vaccines in an approved way and properly logged by a national authority that they will probably have the option for either a card based certification or perhaps some sort of smart/number/locator/authenticator.