Tag Archive for: PCR Test

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
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Cyprus’ Latest COVID Travel Categorization

Authorities in Cyprus have categorized European countries, based on their epidemiological situation in an effort to halt the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in their country. The categorization of countries may be modified at any moment, depending on the Coronavirus situation.

Category A includes low-risk countries. Citizens coming from the countries listed on the category A, are not required to test for the Coronavirus, nor are they obliged to go through two weeks compulsory quarantine.

Category B lists countries with possibly low risk “but more significant uncertainty compared to Category A. Passengers from category B countries falling into the following categories may undergo health examination upon arrival in Cyprus, including citizens of Cyprus permanently residing in the Republic, their foreign spouses and their minor children and all legal residents in the Republic. Persons who belong to this category must go under house quarantine until the result of the COVID-19 test is issued.

Category C includes countries at increased risk, compared to categories A and B. Persons coming from category C will be eligible to enter only under certain conditions. They also will have to choose if they want to undergo a diagnostic test for Coronavirus disease upon arrival in Cyprus or present an RT-PCR Covid-19 certificate with a negative result, not older than 72 hours.

To view an updated list of the countries that fall into the above categories, visit the Cyprus Flight Pass website by clicking here.

Any Countries not defined below are treated as category C.

 

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
,

Entry Update on Quarantine Protocols in Nigeria

Lynn Mackenzie, J.D., LLM
Courtesy of Bloomfield Law Practice

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its readiness to reopen the nation’s International airspace in a matter of weeks. Although there is no set date yet, we can confirm that the Federal Government has commenced putting measures in place for the process of the gradual resumption of international flight operations.

The Nigerian Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 requires persons arriving in Nigeria to self-isolate for 14 days at a location of their choosing in the City/State of their point of entry (i.e. Lagos or Abuja).  Travelers will have their passports retained by the Nigeria Immigration Service throughout the isolation period. We have highlighted below the arrival requirement for the quarantine process in existence in Nigeria;

  1. Upon arrival at the airport passengers are mandated to present a COVID-19 tested certificate stating a negative result. The certificate is also a mandatory requirement to board any international aircraft during the period and must be obtained 72 hours before the flight.
  2. The passenger will be handed a form to complete and provide their full correct address and phone number.
  3. Upon completion of the form, the passenger will be required to submit their original international passport, COVID-19 test result and the completed form to the immigration officials present at the pot of entry.
  4. Passengers will be given an appointment time and date to present them at the sample collection center located in Lagos or Abuja for a repeat COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
  5. Once the test has been successfully carried our, the test result will be available after the compulsory 14 day quarantine period, and if the result is negative, a certificate will be issued.
  6. The certificate once available for the exit interview will be taken to the immigration officials at the airport to retrieve passports submitted.
  7. Once the passport is retrieved, the passenger is allowed to reintegrate with the public.

Please be advised that it has been confirmed that the assignee’s presence will not be required to retrieve their passport at the airport after the completion of the compulsory 14 days quarantine process.

The content of this article is provided for general information purposes. The provision of this article does not constitute legal advice or opinion of any kind; no advisory or fiduciary relationship is created between Relocation Africa and any other person accessing or using this article. Relocation Africa will not be liable for any damages or loss arising from using any part of this article.  

 

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].