Entry and transit requirements, containment measures, mask requirement and distancing: the transitional measures set out by the government.
South Africa, the epicentre of the first Omicron variant, is no longer in a state of health alert as of April 5, 2022. The government has decreed the shift from alert level 1 to a state of transition to a new normal, which keeps a series of transitional measures in place. These include entry and transit requirements from other countries and the virus containment measures to be observed within the national territory.
Table of Contents
- Restrictions on entry to South Africa
- Vaccination certificate or covid test to enter South Africa
- Transit through South Africa
- Containment measures: managing mass events
- Mask requirement and social distancing
- Ask our Experts
1. Entry to South Africa
It should be noted that only some land border crossings are open. Entry is also allowed from all airports open to international passenger traffic, including the three main ones: OR Tambo, King Shaka, and Cape Town. To enter South Africa it is necessary to comply with the health requirements implemented by the government.
One measure that may still be required to be complied with is the completion of a health form to be shown to the authorities when entering the country.
2. Vaccination certificate or covid test to enter South Africa
Entry requirements to South Africa vary depending on the vaccination status of the traveller. All vaccinated travellers may enter South Africa by presenting a valid vaccination certificate.
All unvaccinated travellers may enter South Africa provided they present a negative result from a WHO-recognised covid test obtained no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel. There is no quarantine requirement if all entry requirements are met.
3. Transit through South Africa
Transit through South Africa is subject to compliance with the above health requirements, even if travellers come from neighboring countries.
4. Containment measures: managing mass events
Since the state of health alert was lifted, the government has established a number of transitional measures to be observed in this phase.
According to the current measures, it is possible to gather in groups for political, religious, cultural or work-related reasons without any limitation in number if the participants in the event have a valid vaccination certificate or a negative result from a WHO-recognised covid test no older than 72 hours. It is possible to gather in groups for political, religious, cultural or work-related reasons even if the participants in the event do not have a vaccination certificate or a negative covid test result, provided that there are no more than 1000 people indoors and 2000 people outdoors. In addition, where the venue is too small to allow for adequate social distancing, no more than 50% of the venue capacity may be used.
5. Mask requirement and social distancing
Among the most important containment measures still in force is the requirement to wear a mask inside public buildings and on means of transport. Children under the age of 6 are excluded from this requirement. It is no longer compulsory to wear a mask outdoors, except in cases where the social distance of at least 1 metre cannot be maintained. In this regard, it should be noted that all businesses can operate in compliance with social distancing measures.