South African Border Closures and Travel Bans: COVID-19 Status
Travel restrictions and advisories are in constant flux as COVID-19 spreads. Please check with your local consulate or embassy for up-to-date details.
Travel bans have been imposed around the world to slow the spread of SARS-Cov-2 virus behind Covid-19, while others require voluntary self-isolation of either all foreign travellers, or those from specific countries.
South Africans are affected by some restrictions – especially in countries that have a blanket ban on travellers from places with known Covid-19 cases. South Africa has also restricted access to some nationalities.
The result is a moving target of a list of places South Africans may not (or should not) go, and a similarly in-flux list of nationalities that can expect at least intensive screening for fevers on arrival in SA.
Many countries have imposed bans and restrictions due to expire in mid-April, if not renewed or cancelled before then. Other countries have put in place indefinite bans, or have not specified timeframes. Bans typically exclude those holding diplomatic credentials, and in some cases those with specific types of work visas.
South Africans are mostly not currently welcome in:
- Colombia
- Denmark
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Ghana (effective when South Africa records its 200th positive test for the virus)
- India
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Moldova
- Norway
- Poland
- Oman
- South Korea
- Ukraine
South African are impacted by special measures when travelling to:
- Australia: required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
- Austria: expected to be added to the list of nationalities required to present a negative viral test for entry
- Bermuda: required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
- Croatia: expected to be added to the list of nationalities required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
- Czech Republic: expected to be added to the list of high-risk countries, from which travel is banned
- Israel: likely to be denied access, but may be admitted if they can show the ability to self-isolate for 14 days
- Jordan: all international flights cancelled
- Lithuania: may have to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
- Malta: required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
- New Zealand: required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
- Slovakia: required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
South Africa has banned access to people from:
- China
- Germany
- Italy
- Iran
- South Korea
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
South Africa has imposed extra screening measures on people from:
- Hong Kong
- Portugal
- Singapore
Points of entry closures
South Africa has closed the majority of its border posts following an increase in infections in the country.
South Africa has 72 ports of entry in the country which are land, sea and airports. Of the 53 land ports, 35 will be shut down with effect from Monday, 16 March in order to prevent further influx of people possibly infected with COVID-19. Two of the eight seaports will be closed for passengers and crew changes. To view eNCA’s map of the closures, click here.
For further information, please consult the World Health Organization and the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD).
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], Belinda Fewings [2].
