South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
Sep 16, 2021, 1:22 pm
#1261
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
I always put together 2 or 3 complete document packages with the local entry form/passenger declaration/whatever, test results, etc. And in both cases, the check in agent took a quick scan of it and on arrival immigration either never asked for it or just took a cursory look at it (at best).
But, be careful, we had some agents abroad (outside the USA) who took this as "smug" on our part in a DYKWIA-sort-of attitude that they felt we were exhibiting b/c we were "too prepared."
Sep 16, 2021, 1:27 pm
#1262
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I produce whatever I am asked to produce. Nothing more, nothing less. So far no issues. Fingers crossed.
Sep 16, 2021, 9:00 pm
#1263
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Just landed in JNB- NO PCR check
Literally off the qr flight into Jnb 30 minutes ago. NO PCR check and JNB. Only a quick temp scan and you hand them the entry form. Now sitting at fed air waiting for flight to the bush. Getting easier and easier. I asked why they don’t look at test results anymore and they say they count on airlines to do it. Last time when I flew to jnb in December ‘20 they scanned tests primarily for the 72 hour window. Flying on qr from Chicago was simple. 5 second glance at test result and off to klm lounge.
Sep 17, 2021, 6:51 am
#1264
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Literally off the qr flight into Jnb 30 minutes ago. NO PCR check and JNB. Only a quick temp scan and you hand them the entry form. Now sitting at fed air waiting for flight to the bush. Getting easier and easier. I asked why they don’t look at test results anymore and they say they count on airlines to do it. Last time when I flew to jnb in December ‘20 they scanned tests primarily for the 72 hour window. Flying on qr from Chicago was simple. 5 second glance at test result and off to klm lounge.
A bit off topic, I think the FedAir lounge is the best lounge at JNB currently. In June you could sit outside and as long as there was enough distance between other people, you could go mask free.
Sep 17, 2021, 12:17 pm
#1265
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
agreed. With getting there at 4a they have an early arrival program that let us into the lounge and have us the private room to the right of the main area. Nice shower, and a nice buffet set up for us. Very nice way to end 48 hours of go.
Sep 18, 2021, 6:00 am
#1267
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
But there are now several options to avoid the dreaded quarantaine hotel and - assuming that SA will stay on the 'list' until mid November when I plan to return to the UK - I will probably take shelter in either Austria or The Netherlands for 10 days. For 2 people significantly cheaper and infinitely more palatable than the Heathrow Radisson....
Sep 18, 2021, 8:20 am
#1268
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
South Africa has recently gone from Level 3 to Level 2. They are opening up both internally and to foreign tourists. We went last June and the people were very happy to see tourists and we had a wonderful time. The issue you are facing is the UK government (and its perception of what is going on internally in ZA).
Sep 18, 2021, 11:14 am
#1269
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
I’m sitting here In my safari lodge in sabi sands. Za seems very eager to let people, and more importantly, their money back in.
Sep 18, 2021, 11:52 am
#1270
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 79
Although I too was hoping that SA would come off whatever colour the 'new list' is going to be, it was hope, not expectation. The process of deciding this 'protecting public health' seems more obscure then is suggested (case rates, percentage positive tests etc).
But there are now several options to avoid the dreaded quarantaine hotel and - assuming that SA will stay on the 'list' until mid November when I plan to return to the UK - I will probably take shelter in either Austria or The Netherlands for 10 days. For 2 people significantly cheaper and infinitely more palatable than the Heathrow Radisson....
But there are now several options to avoid the dreaded quarantaine hotel and - assuming that SA will stay on the 'list' until mid November when I plan to return to the UK - I will probably take shelter in either Austria or The Netherlands for 10 days. For 2 people significantly cheaper and infinitely more palatable than the Heathrow Radisson....
Sep 19, 2021, 1:15 am
#1271
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: London & DUR
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, SAA Gold, Virgin Gold, Expedia Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 33
Not convinced that this improves UK public health but it complies with whatever political statement is being made.
Sep 22, 2021, 9:07 am
#1272
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 15
Literally off the qr flight into Jnb 30 minutes ago. NO PCR check and JNB. Only a quick temp scan and you hand them the entry form. Now sitting at fed air waiting for flight to the bush. Getting easier and easier. I asked why they don’t look at test results anymore and they say they count on airlines to do it. Last time when I flew to jnb in December ‘20 they scanned tests primarily for the 72 hour window. Flying on qr from Chicago was simple. 5 second glance at test result and off to klm lounge.
Sep 26, 2021, 6:31 pm
#1273
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,075
SOrry for what is probably a stupid question, but I'm flying to JNB from IAD in a couple weeks. The PCR test has to be within 72 hours of my IAD-DOH leg, as I'm only transiting Doha and not leaving the airport, correct? My trip is 40 hours including layovers so this gets appreciably harder (but not impossible) if I've got if testing before departure means the DOH-JNB leg rather than the first leg.
Thanks for any data points/advice.
Thanks for any data points/advice.
Sep 26, 2021, 7:18 pm
#1274
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
SOrry for what is probably a stupid question, but I'm flying to JNB from IAD in a couple weeks. The PCR test has to be within 72 hours of my IAD-DOH leg, as I'm only transiting Doha and not leaving the airport, correct? My trip is 40 hours including layovers so this gets appreciably harder (but not impossible) if I've got if testing before departure means the DOH-JNB leg rather than the first leg.
Thanks for any data points/advice.
Thanks for any data points/advice.
It sounds like you have a long layover in DOH. You may want to look at getting a room in the Oryx hotel (airside at the DOH airport ... nice but pricey), or go through the hassle of getting a tourist visa at the airport so you can go into the city. You can find all the details on both of these topics in the Qatar forum here on FT.
Sep 29, 2021, 1:20 pm
#1275
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 228
Although I too was hoping that SA would come off whatever colour the 'new list' is going to be, it was hope, not expectation. The process of deciding this 'protecting public health' seems more obscure then is suggested (case rates, percentage positive tests etc).
But there are now several options to avoid the dreaded quarantaine hotel and - assuming that SA will stay on the 'list' until mid November when I plan to return to the UK - I will probably take shelter in either Austria or The Netherlands for 10 days. For 2 people significantly cheaper and infinitely more palatable than the Heathrow Radisson....
But there are now several options to avoid the dreaded quarantaine hotel and - assuming that SA will stay on the 'list' until mid November when I plan to return to the UK - I will probably take shelter in either Austria or The Netherlands for 10 days. For 2 people significantly cheaper and infinitely more palatable than the Heathrow Radisson....
