BA and South Africa
Dec 20, 2021, 10:08 am
#406
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 55
Does anyone have experience / advice on entering SA successfully with BA despite testing positive for a PCR test? Both my wife and I caught COVID 2 weeks ago so there is a strong chance a PCR may still show a positive test result. According to IATA Travel Centre you may still enter despite testing positive on a PCR as follows (second paragraph):
QUOTE
Passengers entering or transiting through South Africa must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.
This does not apply to passengers with a positive COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before arrival. They must have the original positive COVID-19 PCR test result and a letter issued by a medical practitioner showing they are fit to fly and have completed a 10 day isolation period.
UNQUOTE
I have ordered the relevant letter from a doctor but I am more concerned that BA may not be wise to this provision and still deny boarding. Hence my post - to see if anyone has managed to do this yet.
QUOTE
Passengers entering or transiting through South Africa must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.
This does not apply to passengers with a positive COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before arrival. They must have the original positive COVID-19 PCR test result and a letter issued by a medical practitioner showing they are fit to fly and have completed a 10 day isolation period.
UNQUOTE
I have ordered the relevant letter from a doctor but I am more concerned that BA may not be wise to this provision and still deny boarding. Hence my post - to see if anyone has managed to do this yet.
I am hoping that the IATA info is correct and I have just missed the information on the South Africa website as this would at least reduce the worry of catching COVID over the festive period and not being able to get a negative PCR result for my flight at the end of January.
Dec 23, 2021, 3:12 pm
#407
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 228
As everyone and their dog seem to have omicron, I wonder what % of PCRs are currently testing positve, I am convinced I'll test positive, despite living the life of a hermit lately.
Last edited by HGOLI; Dec 24, 2021 at 2:19 am
Dec 25, 2021, 1:53 am
#408
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
For those travelling, the arrival process in JNB was a breeze. Disembarkation was F, then Club so there wasn’t a flood of people and crew actively blocked the aisles to stop those in the cheap seats moving forward.
No health forms on board - so recommend printing your own. linkie below. They are collected along with a temperature check before getting into the mazes of poles at immigration. The line monitor then checks covid test before directing you to an immigration agent. Passport stamp and you are done. Compared to the cluster that UK arrivals are…v competently done.
The current BA flight times work well for an empty immigration hall. It’s the first long haul flight of the day (discounting ET in the middle of the night) . Virgin arrives about 20mins later and then there is another 2 hour gap until LH. So to be honest it’s quicker and more predictable than the before times.
Outdoor mask mandate and 100% use of hand sanitiser at every shop takes a little getting used to, however!
https://www.airports.co.za/Documents...NING%20THQ.pdf
No health forms on board - so recommend printing your own. linkie below. They are collected along with a temperature check before getting into the mazes of poles at immigration. The line monitor then checks covid test before directing you to an immigration agent. Passport stamp and you are done. Compared to the cluster that UK arrivals are…v competently done.
The current BA flight times work well for an empty immigration hall. It’s the first long haul flight of the day (discounting ET in the middle of the night) . Virgin arrives about 20mins later and then there is another 2 hour gap until LH. So to be honest it’s quicker and more predictable than the before times.
Outdoor mask mandate and 100% use of hand sanitiser at every shop takes a little getting used to, however!
https://www.airports.co.za/Documents...NING%20THQ.pdf
Dec 25, 2021, 2:28 am
#409
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,795
Excluding travel, people are generally going for PCRs after a positive lateral flow test or a close contact, member of your household essentially, confirmed to be positive. Overall and currently, about 8% of tests end up positive, most people don't have COVID-19. Those selecting themselves for testing generally have a suspicion on being positive, though some people have to test routinely because of their job. If you live in London we think between 5 and 10% of all Londoners have COVID-19 right now. I suspect that 10% plus will apply to the worst parts of inner London - Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth. Outer London may be nearer the 5% level. Those unvaccinated - a relatively high percentage of the population in London - are over-represented in these figures. So you can calibrate yourself a bit, but even among unvaccinated young men in Brixton, most won't test positive for COVID-19 right now.
Dec 25, 2021, 3:54 am
#410
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 228
Excluding travel, people are generally going for PCRs after a positive lateral flow test or a close contact, member of your household essentially, confirmed to be positive. Overall and currently, about 8% of tests end up positive, most people don't have COVID-19. Those selecting themselves for testing generally have a suspicion on being positive, though some people have to test routinely because of their job. If you live in London we think between 5 and 10% of all Londoners have COVID-19 right now. I suspect that 10% plus will apply to the worst parts of inner London - Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth. Outer London may be nearer the 5% level. Those unvaccinated - a relatively high percentage of the population in London - are over-represented in these figures. So you can calibrate yourself a bit, but even among unvaccinated young men in Brixton, most won't test positive for COVID-19 right now.
I am lucky in that hubby and me live rural, in Oxfordshire with no contact with others, except me going to the supermarket once a week (no queues behind me at the checkout!) Am working from home This very deliberate lack of contact is because of my up-coming fit to fly test. Hubby also WFH, with just the occasional work trip into London (about once every 6 weeks or so, usually driving in, no socialising.
So if I do test positive, no idea where I picked it up from, except perhaps the supermarket... Afraid I've become a little paranoid at the moment!
Thanks again.
Dec 27, 2021, 3:17 am
#411
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,354
Does anyone have up to date person experience in Cape Town & surrounding areas such as Stellenbosch & Franschoek?
Bars, restaurants, vineyards, tourist attractions open? Safe in terms of is a lack of tourists leading to anti social issues?
Bars, restaurants, vineyards, tourist attractions open? Safe in terms of is a lack of tourists leading to anti social issues?
Dec 27, 2021, 4:36 am
#412
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London N8
Programs: BA (LTG), Miles&More (whatever the lowest level is), Oyster card (zones 1-2)
Posts: 891
+1 to this - plus Kruger and the Karoo!
Dec 27, 2021, 4:42 am
#413
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 12
I was in Cape Town 4 weeks ago and everything was open, just not as busy. You will still need to book some restaurants, Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo, Foxcroft and La Colombe were all fully booked on the days we went. We felt as safe as we always do, more worried in some British cities.
Dec 27, 2021, 6:17 am
#414
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 115
>Does anyone have up to date person experience in Cape Town & surrounding areas such as Stellenbosch & Franschoek?
>Bars, restaurants, vineyards, tourist attractions open? Safe in terms of is a lack of tourists leading to anti social issues?
Covid is pretty much a non-event in SA at present ( besides the usual mandates of masks, sanitiser and 'social distancing' ) Overseas tourist numbers are sadly non-existent compared to past years but everything is open for business. Covid wise probably far 'safer' in SA than most other places at present with SA past its 'omicron' peak ( which in the local scenario hardly made a blimp on hospital admissions ) Anyone headed here - will have a great time.
>Bars, restaurants, vineyards, tourist attractions open? Safe in terms of is a lack of tourists leading to anti social issues?
Covid is pretty much a non-event in SA at present ( besides the usual mandates of masks, sanitiser and 'social distancing' ) Overseas tourist numbers are sadly non-existent compared to past years but everything is open for business. Covid wise probably far 'safer' in SA than most other places at present with SA past its 'omicron' peak ( which in the local scenario hardly made a blimp on hospital admissions ) Anyone headed here - will have a great time.
Dec 27, 2021, 6:18 am
#415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
Sat at Skukuza right now. Almost no international tourists but lots of locals (school holiday season). Everything running as normal (including 2 leopard sightings and a pair of mating lions this morning for me).
Local family members say that most tourist areas are as safe as normal, international numbers well down but local trade has taken up much of the slack in low to mid end. Top end places not so much.
Safety is always a point of concern, but I think the increased risk is for locals via burglary rather than unexpected tourists. Unless you do something dumb, of course.
Local family members say that most tourist areas are as safe as normal, international numbers well down but local trade has taken up much of the slack in low to mid end. Top end places not so much.
Safety is always a point of concern, but I think the increased risk is for locals via burglary rather than unexpected tourists. Unless you do something dumb, of course.
Dec 27, 2021, 9:54 am
#416
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London N8
Programs: BA (LTG), Miles&More (whatever the lowest level is), Oyster card (zones 1-2)
Posts: 891
Sat at Skukuza right now. Almost no international tourists but lots of locals (school holiday season). Everything running as normal (including 2 leopard sightings and a pair of mating lions this morning for me).
Local family members say that most tourist areas are as safe as normal, international numbers well down but local trade has taken up much of the slack in low to mid end. Top end places not so much.
Safety is always a point of concern, but I think the increased risk is for locals via burglary rather than unexpected tourists. Unless you do something dumb, of course.
Local family members say that most tourist areas are as safe as normal, international numbers well down but local trade has taken up much of the slack in low to mid end. Top end places not so much.
Safety is always a point of concern, but I think the increased risk is for locals via burglary rather than unexpected tourists. Unless you do something dumb, of course.
Dec 27, 2021, 11:05 am
#418
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 228
If my PCR is ok tomorrow (nerves are shredded!), I too will be sat there on Sat. Staying in Marloth Park with a friend Friday, then driving up to Sku airport to pick up my hire car, then 24 nights in the park await, including 2 on the Shalati Train on the Bridge.
Dec 27, 2021, 11:49 am
#420
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
correct. Use VeriFLY for the test so you can OLCI but nothing else needed. Have a great trip!