South Africa, new rules for tourists: what happens to vaccinated people
Rules for entering South Africa are changing. Moving toward the warm season and with a gradual improvement in the pandemic situation [...]
The rules for entering South Africa are changing. Heading into the warm season and with a gradual improvement in the pandemic situation around the world, the African country has made public New rules on access for foreign visitors, greatly simplifying procedures.
In this article:
There are many countries that are softening their anti-Covid legislation for tourists, and although in some cases things are still quite complex, South Africa stands as a candidate for being one of the most convenient states to reach, especially among those from outside Europe.
The country's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of travel restrictions as part of a broader plan to ease Covid-19 measures, which went into effect March 23. Following the decisions made by several other nations around Europe and the Middle East, the South Africa has decided to make no longer required anti-Covid test before departure for visitors who have completed the vaccination cycle. Thus, no more testing will be required to enter the country.
The new rules for tourists in South Africa
Things are understandably different for tourists who instead do not meet the main requirement of full vaccination. In this case, a negative result of a PCR test performed in the 72 hours prior to the flight.
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Currently, masks are to be worn expressly in indoor places, but not outdoors, and the requirement for a certificate attesting to vaccination (such as the Green Pass we have here in Italy) is subject to the decisions of individual activities and places, without any legal imposition.
This means that Green Pass may be required occasionally in some indoor places you might visit in South Africa, but right now the government is considering further relaxation of regulations, so even this criterion may become even less stringent soon.
So to recap, to enter South Africa you will need:
- If you have not completed the vaccination cycle, of a PCR test performed in the previous 72 hours.
- If you have completed the vaccination cycle, no test is required
- Everyone will have to wear a mask in enclosed rooms, but not necessarily outdoors
- The Green Pass may occasionally be required, at the discretion of activity managers
Currently, South Africa averages just over 1,100 new cases each day. This is a significant decrease from December after the detection of the omicron variant. "Over the past two years, we have taken unprecedented actions to strengthen our health system," said President Ramaphosa, "Now we are at a watershed moment and ready to enter a new phase in our pandemic management.
