Southern Africa: Botswana, South Africa likely to maintain increased monkeypox (mpox) screening procedures at border through early September

Authorities in Botswana and South Africa will likely continue to implement increased traveler health screening procedures at their borders through early September amid an ongoing monkeypox (mpox) pandemic. On June 25, South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) announced that carriers are required to provide a general declaration of health for their passengers, which may include subjecting travelers to thermal screening. On Aug. 20, Botswana's Minister of Health announced that they were increasing their surveillance at high-risk points of entry. As of Aug. 23, the measures have not significantly impacted travel through land, sea, or aerial ports of entry into either country.

Increased security is possible at ports of entry, which could cause knock-on delays to persons and freight travel. Additional countries may announce similar measures in the coming weeks. More stringent measures may also be implemented, such as requiring health certificates, mandatory testing upon arrival, quarantines, or border closures.