A Covid-19 requirements guide for South Africans taking a border break

Planning carefully around travel restrictions have taken on a whole different proportion thanks to the pandemic. South Africans longing to visit an international destination now have the opportunity to do so, as do foreign visitors looking to visit our shores.

Our Southern African neighbours offer iconic, bucket list travel experiences - if you've been planning an Afri-Travel trip, it's important to consider the Covid-19 requirements now in place.

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If you're a fully vaccinated traveller, then it's fairly simple, however things are a bit more complex if you're not.

The following Covid-19 requirements are in place for these Southern African countries*

Botswana

• Open to all countries
• Proof of vaccination, no PCR test required.
• If unvaccinated, proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test completed within 72hrs of travelling
• Rapid antigen test required for minors under 5 years
• Quarantine on arrival required for positive test result

Namibia

• Open to all countries
• Proof of vaccination, no PCR test required
• Completed traveller locator form on arrival
• If unvaccinated, proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test completed within 72hrs of travelling
• No test required for minors under 5 years
• Quarantine on arrival required for positive test result

Zambia

• Open to all countries
• Proof of vaccination, no PCR test required.
• If unvaccinated, a valid, original negative Covid-19 PCR test result done within 72hrs of travelling
• No test required for minors under 5 years

Mozambique

• Proof of vaccination, no PCR test required.
• No test required for minors under 11 years
• If unvaccinated, a valid, original negative Covid-19 PCR test result done within 72hrs of travelling

Zimbabwe

• Open to all countries
• Proof of vaccination, no PCR test required.
• No test required for minors under 12 years
• If unvaccinated, a valid, original negative Covid-19 PCR test result done within 48hrs of travelling

READ: 13 ways Secret Getaway is getting South Africans to travel more

Testing positive has a marked burden in terms of unexpected costs, and extended quarantines, if required to do so.

Restrictions for travellers returning to South Africa have been eased, with fully vaccinated travellers no longer needing to produce a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours on arrival.

Complications have arisen as South Africa’s vaccination programme only allows for those 12 years and older to be vaccinated. It also only exempts children under 5 years from the PCR test requirement.

Parents can apply for 'Fit to Travel' documentation

Recognising the need to make it easier for families to travel, the government has put a Medical Letter of being fit to travel in place.

Detailing the application requirements for the exemption option, the state says, "Persons who have recently contracted COVID-19 may continue to test positive for weeks on PCR after full recovery. The majority of travellers who have recently recovered will not be able to produce a negative test as required by Regulations.

Excerpt of Covid-19 Travel requirements for South Africa - click here to read the full update:

This would apply to South African families looking to return home too:

• (3) All international travellers arriving at South African Ports of Entry must:
  (a) be vaccinated against COVID-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate; or
  (b) produce a valid certificate of a negative PCR COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organization, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of departure; or
  (c) produce a valid certificate of a negative antigen COVID-19 test performed by a medical practitioner, registered public health authority or accredited/approved laboratory which was obtained not more than
  48 hours before the date of departure; or
  (d) produce a valid certificate of a positive PCR COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organization, for a test date less than 90 days prior to the date of arrival and more than 10 days prior to the date of arrival, together with a signed letter from a health care provider, registered in the country of origin, stating that the person has fully recovered from COVID-19, is not experiencing any new symptoms and is fit to travel.

  (4) If an international traveller does not comply with subregulation (3): (a) the traveller must undergo antigen testing for COVID-19 at the Port of Entry; and
  (b) if the traveller tests positive for COVID-19 in the antigen test, the traveller will still be admitted into the Republic but, if the traveller is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the traveller must self-isolate for ten days after admission into the Republic.

  (5). Subregulations (3) and (4) do not apply to:
  (a) travellers who are under 12 years old; and
  (b) daily commuters from neighbouring countries.

"If you are unable to produce a negative PCR test result due to having recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection and wish to travel to South Africa you must send a request to the Department for a letter of exemption.

"This is only applicable to travellers who have fully recovered and intend to travel within 90 days of the initial PCR test result that confirmed the infection, according to the state.

"If a person tests positive for Covid-19 in the antigen test, the traveller will still be admitted into the country but, if the traveller is experiencing symptoms of Covid­-19, they must self-isolate for a period of 10 days after admission into South Africa."

Travellers looking to apply for the 'fit to travel' letter of exemption must have:

• A copy of their passport.
• The PCR test result that confirmed their initial infection.
• A letter from a medical practitioner confirming that they have fully recovered, are not experiencing any new symptoms, and are fit to travel.
• The request with supporting documentation must be sent to [email protected].

The letter from the medical practitioner must have the traveller's name and surname as it appears in their passport. It must also be dated and signed with the physical address and contact details of the medical practitioner included.

Travellers are also warned to apply for this letter well in advance to allow for sufficient processing time for the document to be issued.

*Disclaimer: Please note, these rules are subject to change, so always double-check requirements with your accommodation before your trip. If you have any questions please use the chatbot or click here to get in touch.