South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
Sep 16, 2020, 11:26 am
#391
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
Repatriation flights has been running for months now, I don't see any reason why they would now suddenly decide not to allow citizens/PRs etc. to return from those countries, subject to one or other variation of quarantine/testing.
Sep 16, 2020, 11:43 am
#393
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
One would hope that common sense might prevail re the permitted list of countries after a while? There is bound to be pressure to add key markets to the list as the high season approaches
Sep 16, 2020, 1:16 pm
#395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
No News there, as expected ... the leaks take out all the suspense!
The 72-hour pre-arrival test result will be a killer for many. UK test facilities are struggling to cope with Essential Workers and those presenting with C-19 symptoms. Getting tested privately is possible for some, but the timescale for getting the result is still incredibly tight for the real world. And for us, living ‘offshore’ in the Channel Islands, that timeline is simply unrealistic. Sorry, Mr President, this is no help at all, so say goodbye to the ZAR 100,000 plus we were going to inject into your economy.
I now need to see if we can shift our BA trip to next Feb, hopefully retaining the attached Amex 2-4-1 voucher.
The 72-hour pre-arrival test result will be a killer for many. UK test facilities are struggling to cope with Essential Workers and those presenting with C-19 symptoms. Getting tested privately is possible for some, but the timescale for getting the result is still incredibly tight for the real world. And for us, living ‘offshore’ in the Channel Islands, that timeline is simply unrealistic. Sorry, Mr President, this is no help at all, so say goodbye to the ZAR 100,000 plus we were going to inject into your economy.
I now need to see if we can shift our BA trip to next Feb, hopefully retaining the attached Amex 2-4-1 voucher.
Sep 16, 2020, 1:33 pm
#396
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,782
As someone from the US who has been trying to plan a trip, I'm neither surprised nor upset that we aren't in the initial group of countries allowed to enter. I do find it inexplicable that Brazil and India aren't on the "bad boy list" with us.
I've postponed our trip Apri -> Oct/Nov -> June and am hopeful that this will be the last postponement. I've only booked the flights for June, so I suppose it's time to contact the safari lodge about moving our dates again. I made final payment for our April reservation in February and was able to move that October with no issues.
I've postponed our trip Apri -> Oct/Nov -> June and am hopeful that this will be the last postponement. I've only booked the flights for June, so I suppose it's time to contact the safari lodge about moving our dates again. I made final payment for our April reservation in February and was able to move that October with no issues.
Sep 16, 2020, 1:46 pm
#397
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: AA L.T. Plat; UA Platinum
Posts: 327
With my flight booked for the end of June, hopeful that it can happen. The issue will be that I will be coming from Uganda to SA following a gorilla trek, so obtaining a COVID test in Uganda will be nigh unto impossible. Let's see what June brings.
Sep 16, 2020, 1:55 pm
#398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
I think Steve-ZA rationalised the exemption strangeness upthread ... BRICS
Political and Commercial considerations ... nothing to do with Health.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRICS
Political and Commercial considerations ... nothing to do with Health.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRICS
Sep 16, 2020, 2:24 pm
#399
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 814
Yes this looks like a real stretch given test availability, time taken to process test and receive certification thereof within the stipulated 72h time frame, exacerbated of course by the lengthy journey time which is included in the 72h.
Sep 16, 2020, 3:08 pm
#400
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
In most countries I would expect you'd have to get a private test at a cost, in NL it's not a problem at all to do so within 72hrs, some airlines subsidize/cover the costs, otherwise costs are around 100-150 EUR
Sep 16, 2020, 4:19 pm
#401
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
No News there, as expected ... the leaks take out all the suspense!
The 72-hour pre-arrival test result will be a killer for many. UK test facilities are struggling to cope with Essential Workers and those presenting with C-19 symptoms. Getting tested privately is possible for some, but the timescale for getting the result is still incredibly tight for the real world. And for us, living ‘offshore’ in the Channel Islands, that timeline is simply unrealistic. Sorry, Mr President, this is no help at all, so say goodbye to the ZAR 100,000 plus we were going to inject into your economy.
I now need to see if we can shift our BA trip to next Feb, hopefully retaining the attached Amex 2-4-1 voucher.
The 72-hour pre-arrival test result will be a killer for many. UK test facilities are struggling to cope with Essential Workers and those presenting with C-19 symptoms. Getting tested privately is possible for some, but the timescale for getting the result is still incredibly tight for the real world. And for us, living ‘offshore’ in the Channel Islands, that timeline is simply unrealistic. Sorry, Mr President, this is no help at all, so say goodbye to the ZAR 100,000 plus we were going to inject into your economy.
I now need to see if we can shift our BA trip to next Feb, hopefully retaining the attached Amex 2-4-1 voucher.
Sep 17, 2020, 1:50 am
#402
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
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Ah, but ... it wouldn't be just overnight ... it would be a day or more getting a test and waiting for the result before boarding the flight to CPT! And we can only fly from here to UK, where they are in testing overload anyway!
Sep 17, 2020, 5:05 am
#403
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,418
Well it’s qualified good news. The OH (who has SA Permanent Residency) would be able to visit her parents this Christmas, even if I can’t come along.
Friends have done the 72 hour test thing for Cyprus - no big deal if you live in London.
Friends have done the 72 hour test thing for Cyprus - no big deal if you live in London.
Sep 17, 2020, 7:33 am
#404
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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My personal problems seem to be resolved wrt December ...
1. Pre-travel testing impossible
2. Travel Insurance impossible when going against UK Govt advice
3. Mr President won’t be opening the Border to we diseased Brits (cheeky!).
... and finally ...
4. Good news from BA this morning ... our connecting flights JER-LGW are cancelled, and replaced with JER-LHR. This means it’s BA’s fault, thus opening the door to rescheduling to Feb 21, or a full refund of GBP/Avios/Amex voucher! 😎 👍
ZA will still be there next year ... just annoyed to have to miss our annual trip. We’re just so emotionally attached to the place and the people we meet.
1. Pre-travel testing impossible
2. Travel Insurance impossible when going against UK Govt advice
3. Mr President won’t be opening the Border to we diseased Brits (cheeky!).
... and finally ...
4. Good news from BA this morning ... our connecting flights JER-LGW are cancelled, and replaced with JER-LHR. This means it’s BA’s fault, thus opening the door to rescheduling to Feb 21, or a full refund of GBP/Avios/Amex voucher! 😎 👍
ZA will still be there next year ... just annoyed to have to miss our annual trip. We’re just so emotionally attached to the place and the people we meet.
Sep 17, 2020, 1:12 pm
#405
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: AA L.T. Plat; UA Platinum
Posts: 327
Provided same regulations apply in June 2021 and we disease-vectoring US are admitted, I am in similar situation to T8191. Will be in Uganda for 10 days and then to SA. No way to get a COVID test in Uganda easily, particularly since I would be flying from Bwindi to EBB on an internal flight connecting to KQ flying EBB-NBO-JNB.
So hope by June those requirements change or there are fast tests available in EBB (ha!) or on arrival at JNB.
Lots of things can change by then, of course.
Trying to remain optimistic.
So hope by June those requirements change or there are fast tests available in EBB (ha!) or on arrival at JNB.
Lots of things can change by then, of course.
Trying to remain optimistic.