South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
Jan 18, 2021, 1:50 am
#1021
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
Yeah , looking at the way things are going at the moment situation seems to be improving quite a bit ... clearly got some way further to go, but the more dire predictions from a month ago don't seem to be coming true thankfully ! ... If this trend is sustained then I can't imagine the alcohol ban will persist into March, but nobody is going to know for sure.
Jan 18, 2021, 12:40 pm
#1022
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum
Posts: 30
Anyone heard when the alcohol ban in South Africa will be lifted or reviewed?
We are trying to get out to SA to assess and attend to my aged mother's care needs and have postponed our trip twice now due to high infection levels here and in SA. Where my mother lives (Knysna) the number of infections have been dropping significantly in the last week or so which is hopeful and we currently have our departure date set at 17th March. We have all the ducks in a row (Battleface Insurance, booked pre departure PCR tests, located PCR testing in SA, staying in private rented accommodation, masks, gloves, etc.). It just won't be much fun being in SA without a Klippies & Coke! Already planning to take a "medicinal" bottle of gin in the suitcase.
We are trying to get out to SA to assess and attend to my aged mother's care needs and have postponed our trip twice now due to high infection levels here and in SA. Where my mother lives (Knysna) the number of infections have been dropping significantly in the last week or so which is hopeful and we currently have our departure date set at 17th March. We have all the ducks in a row (Battleface Insurance, booked pre departure PCR tests, located PCR testing in SA, staying in private rented accommodation, masks, gloves, etc.). It just won't be much fun being in SA without a Klippies & Coke! Already planning to take a "medicinal" bottle of gin in the suitcase.
Keep in mind you can legally bring in 2 bottles of wine and one bottle of hard alcohol. Not as nice as getting a drink at a restaurant, but it's an option.
Jan 18, 2021, 12:41 pm
#1023
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: Priority Club Platinum, Skywards Gold, BAEC Silver, SAA Voyager
Posts: 246
Anyone heard when the alcohol ban in South Africa will be lifted or reviewed?
We are trying to get out to SA to assess and attend to my aged mother's care needs and have postponed our trip twice now due to high infection levels here and in SA. Where my mother lives (Knysna) the number of infections have been dropping significantly in the last week or so which is hopeful and we currently have our departure date set at 17th March. We have all the ducks in a row (Battleface Insurance, booked pre departure PCR tests, located PCR testing in SA, staying in private rented accommodation, masks, gloves, etc.). It just won't be much fun being in SA without a Klippies & Coke! Already planning to take a "medicinal" bottle of gin in the suitcase.
We are trying to get out to SA to assess and attend to my aged mother's care needs and have postponed our trip twice now due to high infection levels here and in SA. Where my mother lives (Knysna) the number of infections have been dropping significantly in the last week or so which is hopeful and we currently have our departure date set at 17th March. We have all the ducks in a row (Battleface Insurance, booked pre departure PCR tests, located PCR testing in SA, staying in private rented accommodation, masks, gloves, etc.). It just won't be much fun being in SA without a Klippies & Coke! Already planning to take a "medicinal" bottle of gin in the suitcase.
Jan 18, 2021, 1:55 pm
#1024
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
While as far as SARS (tax office) are concerned that might be true, it is currently prohibited to transport liquor.
Jan 19, 2021, 12:43 am
#1025
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: SE U.K.
Posts: 123
Will be booking with Collinson Group as soon as the booking windows opens (T-14 days). Although we will be departing from LHR, there is a Collinson testing station at Stansted which is just down the road, easy to get to for me. PCR test for £99, results "within 48 hours".
Jan 19, 2021, 12:46 am
#1026
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: SE U.K.
Posts: 123
That is why I will be packing my "Vitamin G" in my suitcase. Duty free carrier bags will be too obvious plus I am not aware of what the DF shopping will be like at T5 (if it exists at all).
Jan 21, 2021, 12:55 am
#1027
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
Looks like the Western Cape Govt is pushing for a return to how it was in December basically - https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics...s-urges-winde/ ... I imagine they won't be the only ones over the next while .. I'd be fairly surprised you wouldn't be able to have a drink in March unless the virus situation takes a dramatic turn for the worse.
Jan 21, 2021, 4:15 am
#1028
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
Well, options to travel to/from SA just got a little more limited.
Emirates Temporary Suspension
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/arti...nds-sa-flights
KLM suspends weekend flights and requires more testing.
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/arti...eekend-flights
"passengers from South Africa [and IRL and UK] need to have the following to travel to or via The Netherlands:
A negative rapid test (antigen test);
A negative PCR test that has been taken within 72 hours before arrival in The Netherlands. (NHS tests from the UK are not permitted);
A signed and printed test declaration;
Passengers are also strongly advised to go into quarantine for 10 days after arrival in The Netherlands and to only travel when it is essential."
Emirates Temporary Suspension
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/arti...nds-sa-flights
KLM suspends weekend flights and requires more testing.
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/arti...eekend-flights
"passengers from South Africa [and IRL and UK] need to have the following to travel to or via The Netherlands:
A negative rapid test (antigen test);
A negative PCR test that has been taken within 72 hours before arrival in The Netherlands. (NHS tests from the UK are not permitted);
A signed and printed test declaration;
Passengers are also strongly advised to go into quarantine for 10 days after arrival in The Netherlands and to only travel when it is essential."
Jan 21, 2021, 3:42 pm
#1029
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: London & DUR
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, SAA Gold, Virgin Gold, Expedia Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 33
The Netherlands has now imposed a travel ban on SA flights for 1 month from 00:01hrs Saturday 23rd January.
Jan 22, 2021, 1:57 am
#1030
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
They haven't (yet) as they are still trying to negotiate an exemption for crews with the government, let's not make this a KLM thread though, plenty of those available in the KLM sub-forum.
Jan 24, 2021, 5:25 pm
#1031
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Raleigh-Durham
Programs: HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; AA Platinum
Posts: 758
Biden administration is planning to ban most non-US citizens entry if coming in from SA. I am still optimistic on our plans. May is still 3 full months away - and I will not make a decision until probably end of March.
Jan 25, 2021, 7:40 am
#1033
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,789
Reuters - Exclusive: Biden to impose South Africa travel ban to combat new COVID-19 variant - CDC
NPR - Biden To Implement Travel Restrictions To Combat New Coronavirus Variants
It sounds like the restrictions that had been placed on travelers from the EU and UK to the US (these were actually lifted 18 Jan but will be re-instated this week) are being extended to South Africa as well. For returning US citizens, I expect there will be instructions to self-quarantine at home but don't see anything like a hotel quarantine happening.
Of course the other side of this is how it affects airline service, particularly if you're trying to fly one of the US-SA nonstops on UA or DL.
Jan 25, 2021, 8:12 am
#1034
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I don't see anything official from the CDC yet; that will probably come this week. Here are a couple articles about the Biden administration's plans.
Reuters - Exclusive: Biden to impose South Africa travel ban to combat new COVID-19 variant - CDC
NPR - Biden To Implement Travel Restrictions To Combat New Coronavirus Variants
It sounds like the restrictions that had been placed on travelers from the EU and UK to the US (these were actually lifted 18 Jan but will be re-instated this week) are being extended to South Africa as well. For returning US citizens, I expect there will be instructions to self-quarantine at home but don't see anything like a hotel quarantine happening.
Of course the other side of this is how it affects airline service, particularly if you're trying to fly one of the US-SA nonstops on UA or DL.
Reuters - Exclusive: Biden to impose South Africa travel ban to combat new COVID-19 variant - CDC
NPR - Biden To Implement Travel Restrictions To Combat New Coronavirus Variants
It sounds like the restrictions that had been placed on travelers from the EU and UK to the US (these were actually lifted 18 Jan but will be re-instated this week) are being extended to South Africa as well. For returning US citizens, I expect there will be instructions to self-quarantine at home but don't see anything like a hotel quarantine happening.
Of course the other side of this is how it affects airline service, particularly if you're trying to fly one of the US-SA nonstops on UA or DL.
Also, I see the recent Seychelles policy change as a potential prototype for a new set of admittance policies going forward. We may see several countries with exceptions for travelers who are documented as being vaccinated along with some sort of recent covid-19 test.
Feb 4, 2021, 9:25 pm
#1035
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP (3.5MM), UA Premier, Hertz President's Circle, Marriott
Posts: 163
South Africa - PCR test requirement, doctor's signature
Heading to South Africa next month. I can get a one day PCR test from UCLA Health, but the results will come directly to my UCLA App on my phone. It shows the doctor who ordered the test etc. etc. but NO SIGNATURE. Are they that strict in requiring a SIGNAURE as listed on some websites?