South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
Sep 27, 2020, 8:05 am
#452
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I am hoping this catches on and we see it at departure airports as well. Assuming the article is correct and these dogs are >95% accurate in spotting folks with COVID-19, we could have a system in place that would basically prevent air travel as a vector of transmission (or at least hugely reduce its effectiveness as a vector of disease transmission).
Sep 27, 2020, 10:31 am
#453
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
It’s all very interesting, but unless the departure Nation can generate test results to meet the generic 72h requirement at destination that seems standard in most Nations it’s all a bit of fluff. Even if I can get a test done at T-72, it’s still an incredibly tight timescale before heading to an airport and risking losing ALL flight and hotel costs if the test gives a bad result ... or a LATE result, given the pressure on test laboratories, which is more likely!
THIS is what’s strangling travel.
THIS is what’s strangling travel.
Sep 27, 2020, 11:33 am
#454
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
It’s all very interesting, but unless the departure Nation can generate test results to meet the generic 72h requirement at destination that seems standard in most Nations it’s all a bit of fluff. Even if I can get a test done at T-72, it’s still an incredibly tight timescale before heading to an airport and risking losing ALL flight and hotel costs if the test gives a bad result ... or a LATE result, given the pressure on test laboratories, which is more likely!
THIS is what’s strangling travel.
THIS is what’s strangling travel.
Sep 27, 2020, 12:23 pm
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
As to BA, I don’t know what teir policy is for last-minute cancellations. I really have no intention of exploring that - a vacation is supposed to be relaxing, not a huge stress-creating exercise!
Sep 27, 2020, 2:16 pm
#456
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
Check your policy! Mine/ours AXA in UK is drawing back on anything C-19 related.
As to BA, I don’t know what teir policy is for last-minute cancellations. I really have no intention of exploring that - a vacation is supposed to be relaxing, not a huge stress-creating exercise!
As to BA, I don’t know what teir policy is for last-minute cancellations. I really have no intention of exploring that - a vacation is supposed to be relaxing, not a huge stress-creating exercise!
I agree that a vacation shouldn't be stressful, but I suspect a completely stress-free one abroad isn't on the cards for the foreseeable future.
Sep 28, 2020, 1:54 am
#457
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 635
Sep 28, 2020, 2:56 am
#458
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Emirates provide free Covid cover on all tickets. Medical, quarantine and repatriation. See: https://www.emirates.com/za/english/...ovid-19-cover/
Sep 28, 2020, 4:48 am
#461
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 309
Not interested in tourism per se, but any thoughts about a UK resident, SA passport holder, entering the country (for a funeral)? As I understand it currently, there is a 2 week mandatory quarantine. After 1st Oct, entry will be allowed without the quarantine, as long as there's a negative test result?
I wish they'd clarify the rules before they supposedly come into force!
signol
I wish they'd clarify the rules before they supposedly come into force!
signol
Sep 28, 2020, 5:13 am
#463
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 91
The interesting fact is that, using the infections over the past 14 days per 100K population, South Africa is currently (i.e. today 25 September) on a par with Italy, Greece and Sweden. All of which are currently on the UK travel corridor list. So to call South Africa 'part of high-risk countries' is a bit surprising.
Sep 28, 2020, 5:35 am
#464
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Not interested in tourism per se, but any thoughts about a UK resident, SA passport holder, entering the country (for a funeral)? As I understand it currently, there is a 2 week mandatory quarantine. After 1st Oct, entry will be allowed without the quarantine, as long as there's a negative test result?
I wish they'd clarify the rules before they supposedly come into force!
signol
I wish they'd clarify the rules before they supposedly come into force!
signol
Having said that, as a SA citizen you would be allowed in, with 14 day quarantine requirements. If you would get a special dispensation for a funeral (as per Ditto's post), I don't know for a fact, but maybe he can give you an idea on how to apply for such an exemption.