Originally Posted by esquimau

They told us that no matter what the US entry requirements were, that South Africa requires an exit PCR. I argued that the Gazette doesn’t say that and its just a health screening (which is largely the exit form you fill out) but they wouldn’t relent. We didn’t bring up vaccinations status since I knew that didn’t have bearing to either South Africa or US for travel.

Originally Posted by esquimau

Just arrived back from South Africa after nearly a 3 week vacation, starting in South Africa, then to Zambia, then flying from Vic Falls Airport (Zim) to Cape Town, then from Cape Town to JNB for our return home.

Trip went very smoothly with testing done at all stops, lodges were able to arrange for testing on site (for a pretty price) or taking us to a local clinic.

In Cape Town, while there was rapid testing at CPT, I didn’t want to wait till the last minute so we did a rapid antigen test two days before our return flight to the US (since the US allows PCR, antigen, and LAMP-type tests for entry).

Flew from CPT to JNB, hung out in the lounge and went to our gate for boarding (Air France from JNB-CDG-LAX). And then were denied boarding…. We’d made it through ticketing, baggage check, customs, passport control, security, etc and then at the gate we were denied entry to the gate area.

They told us that no matter what the US entry requirements were, that South Africa requires an exit PCR. I argued that the Gazette doesn’t say that and its just a health screening (which is largely the exit form you fill out) but they wouldn’t relent. We didn’t bring up vaccinations status since I knew that didn’t have bearing to either South Africa or US for travel.

They denied us and one other onto our flights and escorted us back out of security and made us take a rapid PCR (with 20 minutes to spare before that lab closed for the day), then they rebooked us on a KLM flights from JNB-AMS-JFK-LAX. We kept out business seats, but that added another 8 hours and a lot of stress to our travel day.

I still can’t find any requirement for an exit PCR, only the need to have one if the country you’re traveling to requires one. But they wouldn’t listen or bring in a supervisor or anything. Made the end of the trip long and sour but fortunately had enough good memories from the rest of the trip.

Now if we only didn’t forget our bag of souvenirs that we left in a bin on our first KLM flight from JNB-AMS in our stress and fatigue.

Originally Posted by esquimau

Also a note on the entry/exit forms, when we were leaving JNB they had tables full of forms for people to fill out before heading to passport control. They only had entry forms, not exit forms, but the staff there just said it doesn't matter and honestly except for one woman with us (the other person that was denied onto our Air France flight), they didn't even so much as glance at the covid form.

When arriving in JNB at the start of the trip we had completed the forms electronically but with the chaos at arrival I wasn't really sure they would were accepting them (I didn't see anyone else using an electronic version). JNB folks also weren't that happy about electronic COVID-19 test documentation either but they dealt with it from what I saw on others.

Originally Posted by cheltzel

Thanks for all the updates on your trip. We will be arriving at JNB in about 48 hours and our entire party will have both a manually prepared form (easily done in bulk using the Acrobat Fill and Sign feature) as well as completing the online form as we all have a 6+ hour layover at DOH. We will report back here as we have more information.

When you complete the form online, is there a QR code you need to scan to get the documentary proof of its completion (as well as a link to the completed form)?

Originally Posted by esquimau

As I recall there was something that displayed on the screen, I think it was just a completion number... It also emails it to you.

Also, not sure if it was just because of the time we got in (super early), they didn't really seem to be having a separate queue for the visa exempt countries, but the process also didn't take too long since, well reduced travel and all. This was definitely the most empty I've experienced JNB in the last 15 years. They were only using the check in counters on the domestic side and then sending you over to the gates on international side. Arriving was pretty quiet as well (but we landed at 4am after the flight from Doha so that could be an anomaly).


I think they are mostly just looking to see if you filled out anything, there wasn't really much comparing the form at all. But definitely helps to have something filled out already (though you have time while waiting in line).

Similarly on the return to the US you have to complete an attestation form (which nobody collected or looked at either end).

Originally Posted by cheltzel

I've had PM chats with friends here and on TA and everyone seems to agree with your assessment. It looks like as long as the airline likes your documentation, the immigration process on entry and exit seems pretty much a formality.

Originally Posted by Ditto

Flying in and out with multiple airlines it was never more than a "do you have the form?" at the checkin desk, although sometimes I had to insist to the FA I don't need (another copy) of the form...
When I arrived last year in October they were checking it a bit more thoroughly and compared the name with my passport and PCR test, now it seems to mostly be somewhere they can fill up your temperature and perhaps be re-used in case of contact tracing.
If you filled it online, they have to look it up using their phone/tablet and fill your temperature there, hiccups may occur where they have to locate the person with the tablet or they may have run out of their data bundle

Originally Posted by esquimau

Just arrived back from South Africa after nearly a 3 week vacation, starting in South Africa, then to Zambia, then flying from Vic Falls Airport (Zim) to Cape Town, then from Cape Town to JNB for our return home.

Trip went very smoothly with testing done at all stops, lodges were able to arrange for testing on site (for a pretty price) or taking us to a local clinic.

In Cape Town, while there was rapid testing at CPT, I didn’t want to wait till the last minute so we did a rapid antigen test two days before our return flight to the US (since the US allows PCR, antigen, and LAMP-type tests for entry).

Flew from CPT to JNB, hung out in the lounge and went to our gate for boarding (Air France from JNB-CDG-LAX). And then were denied boarding…. We’d made it through ticketing, baggage check, customs, passport control, security, etc and then at the gate we were denied entry to the gate area.

They told us that no matter what the US entry requirements were, that South Africa requires an exit PCR. I argued that the Gazette doesn’t say that and its just a health screening (which is largely the exit form you fill out) but they wouldn’t relent. We didn’t bring up vaccinations status since I knew that didn’t have bearing to either South Africa or US for travel.

They denied us and one other onto our flights and escorted us back out of security and made us take a rapid PCR (with 20 minutes to spare before that lab closed for the day), then they rebooked us on a KLM flights from JNB-AMS-JFK-LAX. We kept out business seats, but that added another 8 hours and a lot of stress to our travel day.

I still can’t find any requirement for an exit PCR, only the need to have one if the country you’re traveling to requires one. But they wouldn’t listen or bring in a supervisor or anything. Made the end of the trip long and sour but fortunately had enough good memories from the rest of the trip.

Now if we only didn’t forget our bag of souvenirs that we left in a bin on our first KLM flight from JNB-AMS in our stress and fatigue.

Originally Posted by AAExecPlatFlier

Am flying out of JNB…. Routing is JNB -xDOH DFW. US passport.

I am aware of the inbound PCR test required. Have that booked.

what is now concerning me is the post above where AF enforced the little known rule about a PCR test leaving JNB. I was planning on a rapid antigen test for entry back into the US, but seem like I will have to go PCR.

have looked at a few sites regarding testing at JNB. I am not seeing a Rapid PCR test facility at JNB.

would someone please direct me to who/where rapid PCR tests are given at JNB?. Is it the govt testing center that has been set up across from police station? Or are their private facilities at JNB that are doing rapid PCR test? I see rapid antigen. Just not rapid PCR.

my plan is to arrive JNB on a Thursday afternoon (from Madikwe), take the test that afternoon, and fly out on Saturday afternoon.

thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by esquimau

They told us that no matter what the US entry requirements were, that South Africa requires an exit PCR. I argued that the Gazette doesn’t say that and its just a health screening (which is largely the exit form you fill out) but they wouldn’t relent. We didn’t bring up vaccinations status since I knew that didn’t have bearing to either South Africa or US for travel.

They denied us and one other onto our flights and escorted us back out of security and made us take a rapid PCR (with 20 minutes to spare before that lab closed for the day), then they rebooked us on a KLM flights from JNB-AMS-JFK-LAX. We kept out business seats, but that added another 8 hours and a lot of stress to our travel day.

I still can’t find any requirement for an exit PCR, only the need to have one if the country you’re traveling to requires one. But they wouldn’t listen or bring in a supervisor or anything. Made the end of the trip long and sour but fortunately had enough good memories from the rest of the trip.
.

Originally Posted by esquimau

Just arrived back from South Africa after nearly a 3 week vacation, starting in South Africa, then to Zambia, then flying from Vic Falls Airport (Zim) to Cape Town, then from Cape Town to JNB for our return home.

Trip went very smoothly with testing done at all stops, lodges were able to arrange for testing on site (for a pretty price) or taking us to a local clinic.

In Cape Town, while there was rapid testing at CPT, I didn’t want to wait till the last minute so we did a rapid antigen test two days before our return flight to the US (since the US allows PCR, antigen, and LAMP-type tests for entry).

Flew from CPT to JNB, hung out in the lounge and went to our gate for boarding (Air France from JNB-CDG-LAX). And then were denied boarding…. We’d made it through ticketing, baggage check, customs, passport control, security, etc and then at the gate we were denied entry to the gate area.

They told us that no matter what the US entry requirements were, that South Africa requires an exit PCR. I argued that the Gazette doesn’t say that and its just a health screening (which is largely the exit form you fill out) but they wouldn’t relent. We didn’t bring up vaccinations status since I knew that didn’t have bearing to either South Africa or US for travel.

They denied us and one other onto our flights and escorted us back out of security and made us take a rapid PCR (with 20 minutes to spare before that lab closed for the day), then they rebooked us on a KLM flights from JNB-AMS-JFK-LAX. We kept out business seats, but that added another 8 hours and a lot of stress to our travel day.

I still can’t find any requirement for an exit PCR, only the need to have one if the country you’re traveling to requires one. But they wouldn’t listen or bring in a supervisor or anything. Made the end of the trip long and sour but fortunately had enough good memories from the rest of the trip.

Now if we only didn’t forget our bag of souvenirs that we left in a bin on our first KLM flight from JNB-AMS in our stress and fatigue.