What’s up in Africa? 20 October 2020

GOVERNMENT ISSUES A REVISED LIST OF HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES

The Government has revised the list of high-risk countries based on a risk categorisation model. We continue to be reminded that the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us and we need to continue to take precautions. In its last meeting, the Cabinet instructed the Ministers of Health, Home Affairs and Tourism to lead a process to review the list. The review of the list of high-risk countries was done in such a way that it strikes a balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods. Nothing has changed as far as all travellers from the continent of Africa are concerned. They are still welcome to visit the country subject to Covid-19 protocols.

People from high-risk countries who may visit SA fall in the following categories: business travellers, holders of critical skills visas, investors and people on an international mission in sports, arts, culture and science.  In addition, we recognise that there are a number of regular visitors from mainly European countries that have been accustomed to long periods of visitation to our country during our summer season when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of them own properties in the country.

We appreciate the significant economic contribution that they make through their activities in the country. To this end, we will also allow visitors, in whichever category, who are coming to stay for a three month period or more subject to Covid-19 protocols.

People who need to apply must direct email requests to Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za, supported by

(a)  a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa;
(b)  proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic; 
(c)  proof of travel itinerary; and
(d)  proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.

In the first two weeks that the Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za email address had been in operation, 4 701 applications were received, mostly from investors in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism. Of these applications, 3 113 have been approved. These numbers show that on average, 335 investors a day applied to visit the Republic, sending a strong message that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination. In response to these numbers, the Department of Home Affairs has increased the capacity of people managing the email account to ensure speedier responses and we will try our best to ensure that responses are communicated within 24 hours.

The latest list of high-risk countries is:

The list of these high risk countries will also be found on the Home Affairs website: www.dha.gov.za

SATSA is in the process of updating our Level 1 Lift-off section with the most recent updates. For an easy reference to destination and source market information, please click here.

SOUTH AFRICA: AIRLINK RECONNECTS ZAMBIA TO SOUTH AFRICA
Airlink has reconnected Zambia and South Africa with the resumption of scheduled passenger services between Lusaka and Ndola and Johannesburg. This follows the lifting of travel restrictions that curtailed travel between the neighbouring countries. These services provide travellers with connectivity with Airlink’s new services linking Johannesburg with Cape Town and also with Durban. Connections are also available to Airlink’s other South African destinations, such as George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Upington, Kimberley, Polokwane, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Skukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Mthatha and to key destinations throughout the SADC region.

SOUTH AFRICA: AIRLINK RESUMES LESOTHO AND ESWATINI ROUTES
Airlink recently reconnected Eswatini and Lesotho with South Africa with its scheduled passenger services on 12 October, following the lifting of travel restrictions between the neighbouring countries. According to Airlink CEO and MD, Rodger Foster, connections are also available to Airlink’s other South African destinations, such as Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein. Furthermore, Airlink will offer daily morning return flights between Maseru and Johannesburg with connections to Cape Town and Durban and the above-mentioned cities.

SOUTH AFRICA: VIRGIN RECONNECTS LONDON AND SOUTH AFRICA
Virgin Atlantic has restarted flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg from Sunday 18 October and Heathrow to Cape Town from 10 December. Virgin aims to operate 4 flights a week between Johannesburg and London and plans to increase to a daily frequency by the end of the year. Virgin Atlantic will operate temporarily from Terminal 2 at Heathrow, due to the airport’s terminal consolidation, and will return to Terminal 3 when demand at the airport grows, enabling Terminal 3 to reopen.

GAUTENG: RADISSON HOTEL GROUP EXPANDS
The Radisson Hotel Group has forged ahead, with its expansion plans in South Africa and further afield in Africa, with its new Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo, opening this month. The new hotel will be the 12th Radisson hotel to open in South Africa as well as the first Radisson brand hotel. The full-service hotel will include all the amenities and style guests have come to expect of the group’s hotel offerings. Following its implementation of the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol in partnership with SGS, which ensures the highest hygiene standards, Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo, will join the other 11 Radisson Hotel Group hotels – Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Blu and Radisson RED – in addressing the ever-changing needs of the modern traveller.

ZIMBABWE: OPEN FOR BUSINESS
After several weeks of lockdown, Zimbabwe’s borders are now open and international flights into the country have resumed. Among carriers who have already started operating flights into Harare or Victoria Falls are Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Fastjet and SA Airlink. Local carrier Air Zimbabwe has also started operating domestic routes. At both airports, health protocols are in place to safeguard the health of visitors and staff alike.

Click on the links for more information

Free State
Clarens Craft Beer Festival from 19 to 20 February 2021

Gauteng
Soweto Marathon on 1 November 2020 (Exact dates to be confirmed)
2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA from 3 July – 7 August 2021

Mpumalanga
Forever Loskop Marathon on 17 April 2021

Western Cape
AfricaCom from 10 to 12 November 2020
Cap Classique and Champagne Festival from 30 November to 1 December 2020
Mining Indaba from 1 to 4 February 2021
Budget Speech 17 or 24th Feb 2021 (Tentative dates)
SONA (State of the Nation Address) Date to be confirmed
2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA from 3 July – 7 August 2021

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Please note that our offices will be closed on the following Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 16 December 2020 – Day of Reconciliation
Friday, 25 December 2020 – Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December 2020 – Day of Goodwill