International Relations and Cooperation have come forward with a Travel Advisory document in the response of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have urged all South Africans to refrain from traveling to high-risk countries and to cancel “non-essential” travel.
At this stage, the following countries are classed as high risk and citizens should refrain from traveling to these regions:- Italy, Republic of Korea, Spain, Germany, United States, United Kindom, France, Swiss, China, and the EU.
Nationals living in high-risk countries have now had their visa’s revoked and any future applications will automatically be rejected until further notice. If there are people situated in South Africa who have traveled to a high-risk country in the past 20 days they will see that their visa has now been revoked.
International travelers including South African’s will be required to fill out and submit a health form upon arrival to the country, they may now also be subject to 14 days isolation.
Travelers that have recently entered South Africa from high-risk countries are summoned immediately to undergo testing for the virus.
It’s clear to see that South Africa’s approach is firm and assertive and taking no risks with further cases being brought into the country. Imposing stricter entry and exit of the country can be seen as a method to reduce infection and reduce to risk of COVID-19 becoming an increased risk to the nation.