Tag Archive for: COVID-19

Andrew Stegmann
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President Buhari: Nigeria to Re-open Land Borders Soon

More than a year after it closed its land borders, Nigeria is looking to reopen them ‘as soon as possible’, President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday. Mr Buhari stated this during a meeting with governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja. The president said the closure of the borders was also an attempt to control the smuggling of weapons and drugs from neighboring countries.

“Now that the message has sunk in with our neighbours, we are looking into reopening the borders as soon as possible,” the president was quoted as saying by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu. Nigeria first showed its willingness to re-open the border last month, amid skyrocketing food prices and increased calls for reopening of the borders. The move came after the nation fell into its second recession in five years, according to GDP data released by the National Bureau of Statistics for the third quarter of 2020. Many have attributed the economic recession partly to the border closure that has been in place since August 2019, which, among others, has seen inflation rise to a 30-month high.

Policy experts have said that lifting the blockade will help check the recession, the nation’s worst in decades, and ease the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. Last month, the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said Mr Buhari would soon receive a report of a presidential committee to advise on the reopening of the borders.

Mrs Ahmed said although the committee set up by Mr Buhari had done an assessment of the gains of the closure and had recommended to the president to reopen the borders, the report had not been submitted. The committee has as members the ministers of finance, budget and national planning, interior and foreign affairs, she said, noting that the report would be submitted “once members of the committee sign the report.

“We have made an assessment. The president set up a committee and we have made an assessment and all the members of the committee agreed and are recommending to the president that it is time to reopen the borders,” she said. “The objective has been met in the sense that we have been able, over these couple of months, to work together with our partners in a tripartite committee and do a joint border patrol together and reinforce the sanctity of the commitments that we made to each other.

“So, each side has learnt its lessons. Nigeria has been affecting our partners in terms of businesses that we have in Nigeria as well. So, we will be expecting that the borders will be reopened very soon. The date will be decided by Mr President.” On Tuesday, although Mr Buhari said the government would act on the border closure issue “as soon as possible”, the president did not specify the date.

 

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], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
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New COVID Hotspot Rules for South Africa

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has published a series of gazettes which officially introduce localised hotspot restrictions in South Africa.

The gazettes give effect to an address made by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening (3 December), in which he announced that local restrictions will be introduced for the Nelson Mandela Bay area.

While the Metropole is specifically provided for in the first gazette, Dlamini-Zuma also published a second gazette which introduces the concept of ‘hotspots’ under the current level 1 lockdown restrictions.

This section is not specific to any one area, but rather provides generalised rules for hotspot areas which could arise in the country going forward. They also provide more information than what was announced during Ramaphosa’s address.

A third explanatory gazette has confirmed that, other than in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area, lockdown level one measures will continue to apply until further notice.

You can read more about the hotspot rules below.

Movement of persons

Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22h00 until 04h00 daily, except where a person:

  • Has been granted a permit to perform a service other than an essential service; or
  • Is attending to a security or medical emergency

Attendance of funerals

Attendance at a funeral is limited to 100 persons or less, provided that not more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.

  • Night vigils are not allowed;
  • After -funeral gatherings are not allowed in areas determined as hotspots;
  • During a funeral, a person must wear a face mask and adhere to all health protocols and social distancing measures.

Sale and dispensing of liquor

For purposes of an area determined as a hotspot, the sale of liquor by licensed premises for off-site consumption is only permitted from 10h00 to 18h00, from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding Fridays. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

The consumption of liquor in public places, except in licensed on-site consumption premises, is not permitted. The sale and/or consumption of liquor in contravention of the above is an offence.

Gatherings

Every person, when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to Covid-19 must:

  • Wear a face mask;
  • Adhere to all health protocols;
  • Maintain a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other; and
  • Adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided for in directions issued by government.

An owner or operator of any indoor or outdoor facility where gatherings are held must display the certificate of occupancy which sets out the maximum number of persons the facility may hold.

Gatherings at faith-based institutions, workplace functions, political events, and other social events are limited to 100 persons or less in case of an indoor gathering, and 250 persons or less in case of an outdoor gathering. This is provided that no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.

Gatherings at cinemas, theatres and occasions are allowed provided they do not exceed 50% of venue capacity.

Sports grounds, fields, beaches, public parks,  museums, galleries, libraries and archives will all remain open, subject to social distancing measures.

Offences and penalties 

Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes one of the above regulations commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.

 

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], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
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Updated COVID Rules for South Africa: Travel, Self-Quarantine and Repeat Testing

Government has updated its Covid-19 rules relating to travel and isolation under South Africa’s level 1 lockdown.

In a series of gazettes published last week, the Department of Health and Department and Transport outlined updated rules for both entering and leaving the country, the tests required, as well as the quarantine periods.

Government has also extended the validity date for driver’s licences which expired during the lockdown period.

You can find the key changes outlined in more detail below.

Persons exiting the country

  • A person exiting the country through a point of entry must be subjected to screening, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire;
  • A person who, during screening, is found to have had exposure to Covid-19 or is presenting with any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 must be subjected to a medical examination which may include testing;
  • Based on the outcome of this medical examination, the director-general of Health or any delegated person may make a decision on whether or not the person is allowed to exit the country;
  • Persons found to have contracted Covid-19 pursuant to testing, must be placed under mandatory isolation or hospitalisation;
  • Persons placed under isolation may be permitted to self -isolate at their own private residence if they comply with the prescribed criteria.

Persons entering the country

  • A person entering the republic must be subjected to screening on arrival at the point of entry, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire;
  • A person who, during screening, is found to have had exposure to Covid-19 or is presenting with any signs and symptoms of Covid-19, must be subjected to a medical examination which may include testing and isolation;
  • A person entering the republic must on arrival at the point of entry, provide to the port health official the following – a completed Traveller Health Questionnaire; and a valid negative Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, not older than 72 hours from the date of departure from the country of origin;
  • A person who is not in possession of a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result will be subjected to antigen testing at the point of entry and may be subjected to quarantine at an approved facility at his or her own cost;
  • A person who is subjected to quarantine must, on arrival at the point of entry, complete and sign a written declaration committing to adhere to quarantine requirements; (b) will be liable for all costs related to testing, quarantine and transportation;
  • Persons entering the Republic are encouraged to install the Covid Alert SA mobile application on their mobile phones;
  • A person who experiences any signs and symptoms consistent with Covid-19 whilst in the country, must seek medical attention and inform the medical practitioner of his or her travel history;
  • The gazette makes special dispensation for airline crew, daily commuters, freight operators, medical staff and children.

Cost of quarantine

The gazette states that a traveller entering the republic or his or her employer must bear the cost of quarantine and isolation.

  • The employer must bear the costs of the quarantine and isolation of airline crew and cross border freight operators;
  • Employers who wish to have their employees in quarantine or isolation facilities of the employers’ choice must pay all costs incurred;
  • Monitoring and testing of travellers in quarantine or isolation facilities remain the responsibility of the traveller or employer.

Self-quarantine and self-isolation

The 10-day period of quarantine and isolation applies to persons:

  • Entering the country without valid (health documentation) who are subjected to quarantine;
  • Who upon entry, have been screened and found to be Covid-19 positive or suspected of having contracted Covid-19;
  • Who are inside the Republic and have to be quarantined, either because they are suspected of having contracted Covid-19 or of having been in contact with a person who is a carrier of Covid-19, or isolated because they are confirmed as clinical or laboratory cases having contracted Covid.

Repeat testing 

Repeat testing is not required in order for a person to de-isolate. A close contact who tests positive (symptomatic or asymptomatic) must be managed as a confirmed Covid-19 case.

If testing cannot be conducted, a symptomatic close contact must self -isolate and be managed as a probable Covid-19 case.

 

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], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

British Airways Reopens Domestic Flights in South Africa

Comair has opened bookings for domestic British Airways flights in South Africa.

The airline said it plans to begin serving all the domestic British Airways’ routes it previously operated from 9 December. Comair said that regional services will be reintroduced as it ramps up to full operations over the next few months.

“With reservations for the British Airways’ flights open we’re now able to offer bookings on a considerably expanded schedule. “As well as giving customers the choice of booking on either of our airline brands and a greater range of competitive fares, they now also have the option of booking in business class,” said Glenn Orsmond, representing the Comair Rescue Consortium.

The reintroduction of British Airways’ flights will also see the reopening of the group’s SLOW lounges. Initially, the domestic lounges at King Shaka International, Cape Town International and OR Tambo International will open. The other lounges will reopen as the flight schedule expands.

Comair introduced the British Airways’ brand to domestic and regional routes in South and Southern Africa in 1996 when it signed a franchise agreement with the UK’s largest carrier. It has been British Airways’ most successful franchise.

“British Airways’ ongoing support is a huge vote of confidence in the future of Comair,” said Orsmond. Discovery Vitality has also resumed its agreement with kulula.com as has FNB’s eBucks rewards programme arrangement with Comair. Orsmond says that Comair will initially operate a fleet of fifteen aircraft across both airline brands gradually increasing as the remainder of the fleet returns to service over the next few months.

 

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], [2].