South Africa: Officials impose adjusted Level 3 restrictions nationwide Dec. 28 due to COVID-19 /update 18

Event

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to tighten South Africa's restrictions due to a significant increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Effective 2359 of Dec. 28, authorities moved the country from Level 1 to adjusted Level 3 of its five-level risk scale and imposed a nationwide curfew 2100-0600 through mid-January. An 1100-0400 nightly curfew was previously in place.

Under nationwide adjusted Level 3 restriction:

• Non-essential establishments, including shops, restaurants, bars, and all cultural venues, must close at 2000.

• All indoor and outdoor gatherings are banned, except for funerals and other limited exceptions as detailed in the regulations, such as restaurants, museums, gyms, and casinos. Funerals could only occur with a maximum of 50 people.

• The wearing of facemasks is mandatory; individuals who do not comply with the regulation will face fines or imprisonment.

• The sale of alcohol from retail outlets and the on-site consumption of alcohol are prohibited. The existing prohibition on the consumption of alcohol in public spaces like parks and beaches remains.

• Night clubs and businesses engaged in the sale and transportation of liquor remain closed.

Additionally, authorities have also declared the following 22 districts COVID-19 hotspots, subjected to additional restrictions; all beaches, dams, lakes, rivers, public parks, and public swimming pools in hotspot areas will be closed to the public with effect Dec. 29.

• Eastern Cape: Chris Hani, Buffalo City, Amathole, Alfred Nzo, and the OR Tambo districts. These are in addition to Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Sarah Baartman Districts, which are declared hotspots.

• KwaZulu-Natal: eThekwini, Umgungundlovu, Ugu, Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo, and Ilembe districts.

• Gauteng: the West Rand, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Johannesburg districts.

• Western Cape: the West Coast, Overberg, Winelands, Cape Town, Central Karoo, Garden Route districts.

• North West: Bojanala District.

• Limpopo: the Waterberg and the Capricorn Districts.

International Travel Restrictions
Additionally, as of Dec. 28, South African authorities are maintaining various international travel restrictions to curb COVID-19 transmission:

• Three international airports are open for the entry and departure of foreign travelers, namely O.R. Tambo (JNB), Cape Town International (CPT), and King Shaka International Airport (DUR).

• Currently, 18 land ports of entry are fully operational; however, 35 border posts remain closed due to insufficient screening, testing, and quarantine capacity. Small passenger craft maritime travel is allowed to resume; however, the government continues to ban all cruise ships from docking.

• Those entering South Africa will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no longer than 72 hours before arrival in the country.

• All travelers will undergo screening upon arrival. Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to take a test. Travelers who test positive will be subject to mandatory quarantine for up to 10 days at a designated facility. Authorities also require travelers to show proof of accommodation should they need to self-quarantine when they arrive in the country.

• Travelers departing South Africa will be subject to screening. Those found to have had COVID-19 may be subject to further testing. The outcome of the test will determine whether or not the person may depart the country, as determined by the Director-General of Health or a delegated person. Travelers testing positive will need to self-isolate; this may take place at one's private residence.

Separately, as of Dec. 28, multiple countries continue to impose travel restrictions to South Africa due to a new variant of COVID-19 discovered in the country.

• El Salvador: As of Dec. 20, authorities will prevent any traveler with South Africa on their flight itinerary from entering El Salvador. The directive also prohibits the entry of anyone who has been in South Africa within the previous 30 days.

• Germany: Passenger flights from South Africa are suspended until at least Dec. 30. Lufthansa will continue flights to South Africa during this time, but return flights will be empty.

• Guatemala: The government has suspended all commercial passenger travel from South Africa as of Dec. 22.

• Israel: As of Dec. 21, authorities are prohibiting the entry of South African travelers. Returning citizens from South Africa must enter a mandatory quarantine at designated hotels for 14 days, during which the individuals will undergo two COVID-19 tests.

• Panama: As of Dec. 22, authorities prohibit the entry of travelers who have stayed in or transited South Africa in the past 20 days. The measures apply to foreign nationals and nonresidents entering via land, air, and sea borders by commercial or private transport. Panamanian citizens and residents may return but will be required to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test upon arrival and complete a quarantine period, regardless of the test result.

• Sudan: Authorities have banned travelers from South Africa for 21 days as of Dec. 23.

• Switzerland: Authorities have suspended passenger flights to and from South Africa since Dec. 21. The government may make exceptions for return flights for Swiss and South African residents who need to return home.

• Turkey: The government has suspended all flights arriving from South Africa as of Dec. 20. Authorities have yet to indicate how long the suspension would remain in place.

• UK: Authorities suspended direct flights from South Africa since Dec. 24. An entry ban is in place for arriving visitors who have stayed in or transited South Africa in the previous 10 days.

The Netherlands lifted a travel ban to South Africa Dec. 23; however, travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of their scheduled arrival in the Netherlands and undergo 10 days of self-quarantine.

Additional countries may impose similar travel restrictions on travel to and from South Africa in the days ahead. Reports indicate that several countries are tightening their monitoring and mandating quarantine of travelers from South Africa.

Authorities have reiterated that the disease activity will determine the increase or decrease of restrictive measures in individual districts, metros, and provinces identified as coronavirus disease hotspots. Further amendments to updated restrictions are possible in the coming days. The resumption of economic activities in other sectors is subject to stringent health and safety measures.

Context

South Africa's travel restrictions and preventive measures correspond with similar actions other governments are taking globally in response to the spread of COVID-19.

Stages of the phasing of restrictive measures are as follows:

• Level 5 – Drastic measures are required.

• Level 4 – Some activity can be allowed, subject to extreme requirements.

• Level 3 – The easing of some restrictions on work and social activities.

• Level 2 – Further easing of restrictions, but the maintenance of social distancing.

• Level 1 – Most normal activity can resume, with caution and health guidelines followed at all times.

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. South Africa declared a National State of Disaster on March 15 and implemented nationwide movement restrictions on March 26.

Advice

Heed all official advisories and remain nonconfrontational if stopped by authorities. Reconfirm all travel arrangements if traveling to, from, or via South Africa. Shipping disruptions may occur; consider delaying or rerouting shipments. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

South Africa Health Department
COVID-19 Online Resource
Government of South Africa
High-risk countries