The government has recently gazetted updated regulations for South Africa’s adjusted level 1 lockdown, including changes for schools and travel. The changes include the relaxation of restrictions for air travel.
Negative Covid-19 tests are not yet a requirement for domestic travel. The department has withdrawn and republished the gazette, correcting the error.
An airline operator can provide pre-packaged catering onboard the aircraft but must take all Covid-19 health measures into account.
An airline operator may make complimentary magazines available, which passengers must pick up when entering the aircraft. Passengers are not allowed to share these magazines.
A traveler must provide a valid certificate with a negative Covid-19 test outcome, recognised by the World Health Organisation or equivalent local accredited authority, obtained no more than 72 hours before the date of travel.
South African authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of the presented certificate.
International scheduled operations and charter flights carrying passengers are allowed at the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport;
- King Shaka International Airport;
- Cape Town International Airport
- Lanseria International Airport;
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
Long-haul flight departures and landings at the airports listed above are permitted during the hours of the curfew. However, passengers are required to present a valid boarding pass if stopped by law enforcement.”
Spectators at school sports, arts, and culture have also been given the go-ahead.
According to the recently published amendments, the following activities may resume with spectators:
- Contact sport, non-contact sport including training, intra-school and inter-school matches, and all arts and culture intra-school and inter-school activities.
- Co-curricular and enrichment programmes, such as oral history, spelling bee, moot court, speech contests, debates, and school clubs, may resume activities including competitive inter-school events and engagements and
- Choir practices or rehearsals and choir competitions.
It was clear that the following health and safety measures must be adhered to when resuming events or activities contemplated in this direction:
- Face masks must be worn by all persons entering the venues where the activities take place, change rooms, or training areas, except when participating in training or matches accompanied by vigorous exercise.
- There must be sufficient quantities of hand sanitisers with at least 70% alcohol available for use by all officials, coaches, assistants, learners and participants.
- There must be facilities for washing of hands with soaps and water
- All windows and doors must remain open to ensure adequate ventilation.
- Subject to requirements of any contact activity, social distancing must be maintained at all times.
- The sharing of drinks and drink containers is not allowed.
- A Covid-19 compliance office must be appointed for each venue.
- Each of the entry points at the venue must be controlled to ensure that the stipulations with regards to gatherings as contemplated in sub-direction (2) (i) to (n) and (q) are complied with.
According to the amendments, the principal of a school or an organiser of a venue, hosting an event or activity contemplated in this direction, who fails to comply, is liable to a fine or imprisonment.
