| (1) |
International flights to and from the Republic, as well as domestic flights within the Republic, are permitted in terms of regulation 75, read with regulation 76(2)(a) of the Regulations. |
| (2) |
With effect from the date of publication of these Directions, international passenger flights to and from the Republic shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions: |
| (a) |
A traveller must provide a valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ("PCR") test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization requirements or equivalent local accreditation authority. South African Authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of the presented PCR or COVID-19 test certificates; |
| (b) |
in the event of the traveller's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid test certificate in terms of paragraph (a), as proof of a negative PCR test or a valid COVID-19 negative test status upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller shall be subjected to a compulsory quarantine or undergo COVID-19 testing in line with the National Health Regiments; |
| (c) |
a passenger is required to wear a face mask at all times, may only remove a face mask during an emergency or when instructed by cabin crew to take it off and must observe social distancing, hand washing and sanitize regularly; |
| (d) |
a foreign Operator is required to submit procedures that show the level of compliance with South African COVID-19 legislation for approval to the South African Civil Aviation Authority; |
| (e) |
foreign Air Ambulance Services are permitted to transport COVID-19 positive patients: Provided that they obtain an approval from the Department of Health, obtain a permit issued by the Department of Transport prior to departure, and comply with the Department of Health Protocols and the Air Ambulance Guidelines issued by the Minister; |
| (f) |
a child under the age of five years may be exempted from wearing a face mask; |
| (g) |
a passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition, must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the Operator prior to departure; |
| (h) |
flight deck crew are required to wear masks for the purpose of embarking and disembarking; |
| (i) |
cabin crew members are required to wear masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing or during an emergency; |
| (j) |
an "immunity passport", "risk-free certificate" or "passport immunity" in respect of COVID-19 is not acceptable; |
| (k) |
an Operator shall not board any passenger without a valid negative PCR or a valid COVID-19 negative test certificate; |
| (l) |
crew members shall, upon arrival in South Africa, be subjected to health protocols as contemplated in Health Directions; |
| (m) |
an Operator must ensure and follow the following risk mitigation measures for crew members: |
| (i) |
Conduct risk assessments to ensure that crew members |
are fit and proper before they undertake their travel duties
and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 crew infections; and
| (ii) |
ensure that crew members are protected whilst on duty; |
| (n) |
an Operator is allowed to provide catering on-board aircraft: Provided that they take all risk mitigation, health and safety measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, including the provision of pre-packed meals; |
| (o) |
a passenger in transit— |
| (i) |
must be in possession of a negative PCR test certificate or a valid COVID-19 negative test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory; |
| (ii) |
who displays symptoms of COVID-19 must, upon arrival and under the direction of Port Health— |
| (aa) |
be taken through primary and secondary screening, including COVID-19 testing, where applicable; |
| (bb) |
be quarantined, at own cost, if a positive test result is obtained; and |
| (cc) |
if travelling with family, be quarantined, at own cost, with the whole family; |
| (p) |
a child or a person with disabilities may be exempted from COVID-19 testing if testing will prove to be a challenge: Provided that Operators must consult local public health authorities to confirm the requirement prior to departure; |
| (q) |
international scheduled operations and Charter flights carrying passengers are allowed at the following airports: |
| (i) |
OR Tambo International Airport; |
| (ii) |
King Shaka International Airport; and |
| (iii) |
Cape Town International Airport; and |
| (r) |
Charter Operators conducting cargo and passenger operations to and from the Republic are permitted to operate at the following airports with Ports Health capacity: |
| (i) |
Bram Fischer International Airport; |
| (ii) |
Cape Town International Airport; |
| (iii) |
King Shaka International Airport; |
| (iv) |
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; |
| (v) |
Lanseria International Airport; |
| (vi) |
OR Tambo International Airport; |
| (viii) |
Port Elizabeth International Airport; and |
| (ix) |
Upington International Airport. |
| (3) |
With regard to international outbound flights— |
| (a) |
subject to the travel requirements of a country of destination, a passenger must provide the Operator with a valid negative PCR test certificate or a valid COVID-19 negative test certificate from an accredited laboratory certified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority ("SAHPRA") and South African National Accreditation System ("SANAS"); |
| (b) |
an Operator is responsible for ensuring that passengers comply with COVID-19 requirements of the country of destination; and |
| (c) |
Operators must familiarise themselves with the public health measures, including testing requirements, at the destination airport prior to departure. |
| (4) |
Domestic passenger flights are permitted at the following domestic airports, as approved: |
| (a) |
Bram Fischer International Airport; |
| (b) |
Cape Town International Airport; |
| (g) |
King Shaka International Airport; |
| (h) |
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; |
| (i) |
Lanseria International Airport; |
| (I) |
OR Tambo International Airport; |
| (n) |
Pietermaritzburg Airport; |
| (p) |
Plettenberg Bay Airport; |
| (r) |
Port Elizabeth International Airport; |
| (s) |
Richards Bay Airport; |
| (v) |
Upington International Airport. |
[Direction 5 substituted by section 2 of Notice No. 1279, GG43956, dated 3 December 2020]
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