On Thursday, 11 February 2021, HE President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation Address. Below is a copy of his speech.

210211 SONA 2021 v11

UPDATE

Alert level 1 (South Africa) 

Re-opening of borders (As updated from Gazette 43897 of 11 November 2020)

Gazetted regulations

The 18 land borders which were partially operational, will be fully operational, and the 34 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

Traveling to and from the Republic is allowed, subject to subregulations (3).

All international travel will resume subject t o-
(a) the traveler providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel; and
(b) in the event of the traveler’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own costs.

International air travel is restricted to the following airports-
(a) OR Tambo International Airport;
(b) King Shaka International Airport; and
(c) Cape Town International Airport.

Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, subject to compliance with protocols relating to-
(a) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary;
(b) the wearing of a face mask;
(c) transportation; and
(d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

All commercial seaports will be opened.

Small crafts will be allowed entry into seaports, in-line with health and border law enforcement protocols.

Travelling to South Africa

Travellers intending to visit the country will be expected to produce a PCR  (polymerase chain reaction) test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such test.

Upon arrival in the port of entry, the traveller will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Travellers will also need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to  self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country.

Should the traveller display any COVID-19–related symptoms or been in contact with an infected person(s), they will be expected to take a mandatory COVID-19 test.  This test will be at the traveller’s cost.  If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the traveller will be subjected to a 10 day quarantine at a designated site.  The accommodation at a quarantine site will be at the traveller’s cost.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 11 November 2020 that “we are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative Covid-19 certificate”.