South Africa has extended its new Alert Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions through July 30, 2021. Readers will remember SCI’s news alert when the ramped-up restrictions were first implemented on June 28 due to increasing infection rates caused by the Delta variant of the coronavirus. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a renewed lockdown that included a ban on interprovincial travel. The restrictions were originally enforced through July 11 but have now been extended through the end of the month and are likely to be extended again if infection rates do not fall quickly.
A lockdown continues for Gauteng Province, where Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport are located. Other restrictions still in force include a prohibition against gatherings, a ban on liquor sales, a curfew from 8 pm to 4 am, and restrictions on interprovincial travel.
Special allowances continue for international tourists, including hunting clients, to move across provincial boundaries for touring purposes. Travelers must have a valid boarding pass or a copy of their airline ticket as proof of a flight. A copy of a travel itinerary and passport were advisable as well. Travelers are also exempt from the curfew if they are arriving or leaving for flights that require movement during restricted hours.
Hunting and other tourism operators may travel interprovincially with a permit while carrying out work responsibilities, such as transporting clients. Safari operators are required to have a copy of their clients’ itineraries when traveling through Gauteng to pick up clients.
Requirements for travelers entering South Africa still include a negative COVID-19 test result issued no more than 72 hours from date of departure; downloading the COVID Alert SA application on their smartphone; and undergoing a health screening upon arrival (temperature test and questionnaire).
SCI members with questions about traveling to South Africa or other destinations may contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service at www.safariclub.org/contact.
