South Africa Master Thread

[Yehuda57]

To each their own, but covid is frightening right now. A 36 year old classmate died this week, and everyone knows multiple people in hospital. I don't know if Cape Town is like jhb, but the community is reeling. Not a great time to visit.

[yitzyul]

To each their own, but covid is frightening right now. A 36 year old classmate died this week, and everyone knows multiple people in hospital. I don't know if Cape Town is like jhb, but the community is reeling. Not a great time to visit.

Yikes. BD"E.
Does that risk still apply to someone who had covid and vaccinated? (...ask your local doctor bla bla  )

[Yehuda57]

Yikes. BD"E.
Does that risk still apply to someone who had covid and vaccinated? (...ask your local doctor bla bla  )

It's not just about catching covid. Most things are closed, AFAIK, and the general mood of the place is down

[yitzyul]

It's not just about catching covid. Most things are closed, AFAIK, and the general mood of the place is down

Gotchya! Thanks

[sds1493]

To be clear, this was true in December / January. Beaches are open now.
It is winter, but a mild winter.

[sds1493]

It's not just about catching covid. Most things are closed, AFAIK, and the general mood of the place is down

That is true in Gauteng. In KZN, things are busy during the day (curfew at night from 2100), and I assume it is similar in Western Cape.
Having said that, I don't think that I would plan to travel until the end of July. Three airlines (שתים שהן שלש) have stopped operations until then.

[tmendy226]

Would it be an issue to have a 12h50 stopover in Kenya on the way to South Africa in terms of yellow fever vaccine?

[HoKo]

Would it be an issue to have a 12h50 stopover in Kenya on the way to South Africa in terms of yellow fever vaccine?

Based on this info from the CDC website it looks like you could be in trouble:
Here is the link if you want to read further: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/popular-itineraries/south-africa

[tmendy226]

Anyone knows what the rules are regarding COVID test when crossing into SA from land border (Mozambique or Lesotho is eswatini)? I see some people indicating that rapid tests are fine and that they can be done at the border but not seeing anything official saying that.

[Saulius]

Anyone knows what the rules are regarding COVID test when crossing into SA from land border (Mozambique or Lesotho is eswatini)? I see some people indicating that rapid tests are fine and that they can be done at the border but not seeing anything official saying that.

You need a proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, else you can get a rapid anti-gen covid test at the border for 300 ZAR. 

I would avoid traveling to Eswatini at the moment, they had major civil unrest there a few weeks ago and now it's curfew from 1800 to 0500. see: https://www.sajr.co.za/fleeing-eswatini-to-safety-in-the-nick-of-time/

Lesotho is a landlocked country surrounded only by South Africa - to get in, you also have to cross in from SA (or two flights a day from Joburg)

[Saulius]

Would it be an issue to have a 12h50 stopover in Kenya on the way to South Africa in terms of yellow fever vaccine?

I highly doubt South Africa would ask for YF proof on arrival - if it would be enforced -- they would ask for it in Kenya before you board.
I had same circumstances, but for Ethiopia -- and I got vaccinated for this reason - but the few times I was there with over 12 hour transit -  (I did stay in hotel outside airport each time) and I was never asked for the yelllow ICVF card in Ethiopia or SA.

There is a clinic inside the airport in Nairobi, where they offer YF vaccinations for $50 -- but the ICVF / yellow fever certificate is not valid till 10 days after the shot.

There hasn't been any YF cases in Kenya since 1995, other than two cases in 2016 -- but it was imported from the major outbreak in Angola back then.

[tmendy226]

You need a proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, else you can get a rapid anti-gen covid test at the border for 300 ZAR. 

I would avoid traveling to Eswatini at the moment, they had major civil unrest there a few weeks ago and now it's curfew from 1800 to 0500. see: https://www.sajr.co.za/fleeing-eswatini-to-safety-in-the-nick-of-time/

Lesotho is a landlocked country surrounded only by South Africa - to get in, you also have to cross in from SA (or two flights a day from Joburg)

Thanks!

Does the rapid test on arrival for 300 ZAR apply to flights as well?

[Saulius]

Thanks!

Does the rapid test on arrival for 300 ZAR apply to flights as well?

Well the question is will the airline let you board the plane at your origin, if you do not also show them proof of your PCR test.
On arrival they will ask for PCR test result (not older than 72 hours at time of departure at origin).  Plus they do a temperature check -  if they detect fever -
then they would require an additional rapid test.