Responsible and sustainable tourism will be Cape Town’s ‘next normal’ in the wake of COVID.
This is according to tourism stakeholders at a webinar...
Due to the rapidly changing nature of the Level 1 regulations, SATSA has put together a live document where we will be updating your frequently asked questions as and when information becomes available. There are many nuances and complexities of the new regulations to unpack and we appreciate your patience as well as your input on your most pressing questions. Once we have confirmation on several of these matters, we will re-introduce the final FAQs page to help you and your clients navigate this uncertain time.
These FAQs are based on the latest information available from the South African Government, the various ministries, South African Tourism, and several key inter-sectoral stakeholders.
Should you have questions not yet addressed below or require further clarity, please send them to faq@bigambitions.co.za
To view the live document, click here.
Following the release of the list of high-risk countries whose leisure travellers are banned from entering South Africa, SATSA under the auspices of the TBCSA, is calling for urgent engagement with Government to examine the practicalities of the phased reopening of international travel.
I thought it best to share my views on the next steps with you via a quick recording – please click here to view.
Key highlights:
What is required is urgent engagement with Government which will take place immediately to get certainty around the criteria that is being used to define high-risk countries and to highlight the impracticalities of the current approach.
To ensure that we focus on the way forward and continue to provide the most up to date information, we have just gone live with a new micro site – Level 1 Lift-Off. Here you will find all relevant current regulations, acts, FAQs, etc. As always it will be shared via our SATSA newsletters as well.
Let’s stick together. SATSA is with you and we are batting on your behalf!
he Department of Home Affairs has issued its Gazette Government detailing the full list of ‘high-risk’ countries from which inbound leisure travellers are banned (see below re business travellers).
This follows the announcement yesterday with a partial list of high-risk countries and the further issuing of a Government communique yesterday afternoon which did not reflect the full list of countries.
Issuing an apology in the statement, Home Affairs said: “Earlier today, a list of high-risk countries was read at a Press Conference. Unfortunately, this list was not exhaustive, and might also have included some countries by mistake. We are hereby releasing the whole updated list, and we heartily apologize for any confusion and any inconvenience caused by the earlier release”.
The full list can be found within the Gazette. Download it here. It is important to note that this list will be updated every two weeks.
In addition, the statement says:
Such applications must be directed to email Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za and supported by:
(a) a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa;
(b) proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic;
(c) proof of travel itinerary; and
(d) proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.
Send any questions you may have to faq@bigambitions.co.za. We are compiling an FAQ to assist members.
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has welcomed the reopening of South Africa’s international borders but called for urgent consultation with Government to understand the methodology used to define the list of high-risk countries from which leisure travellers are banned.
“We are pleased that international borders are finally reopening so that the Tourism sector can get back to work, contribute to the economy and save jobs. This is what we have been lobbying for fervently for many months,” says Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO TBCSA.
“However, it is critical that Government meets with private sector as a matter of urgency to clarify the method used to draft the list of high-risk countries and the practicalities surrounding this suggested phased reopening, so that this can be examined and its feasibility determined. This is especially since there is no public health reason to ban travellers from any country, provided the testing regime and protocols are adhered to,” says Tshivhengwa.
Government announced yesterday that leisure travellers from high-risk countries will not be permitted to travel to South Africa with the exception of business travellers with scarce skills, diplomats, investors, and those participating in sports and other special events. Travellers from Africa, as well as countries deemed medium and low-risk countries will be allowed to enter South Africa for both business and leisure. The list will also be re-assessed every two weeks.
While the reopening date is a step in the right direction, the nature of tourism is such that a phased reopening introduces complexities and uncertainties that reduce demand and disrupt the booking cycle. Further, changing the list of high-risk countries every two weeks is wholly impractical.
“Inbound international travellers need time to plan their travel. Changing the list of unbanned countries every two weeks introduces a layer of complexity and uncertainty that will lead to erratic booking cycles and confusion amongst travellers.
“It will also deter foreign governments from giving the green light for their citizens to travel to South Africa as they seek certainty about our entry requirements, as well as deter airlines from operating on the route. There are just too many nuances in Tourism for a phased international reopening to be practical, especially if the goalposts change continuously,” says Tshivhengwa.
It is essential that Government consults with the tourism private sector to ensure that the reopening is done in a responsible and practical manner, he adds.
Implementing stringent health and hygiene safety protocols
However, after six months of lockdown, this is a step in the right direction. Industry stakeholders must now use this opportunity to implement the strict World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) -endorsed health and hygiene protocols that have been developed by the TBCSA to ensure that travellers can travel with peace of mind when visiting South Africa.
The TBCSA encourages business operators to continue to make use of the Travel Safe – Eat Safe App, which provides a full understanding of the safe industry operating protocols and records compliance of tourism and hospitality industry business owners.
To download the Travel Safe – Eat Safe App, please visit: http://travelsafeeatsafe.co.za/
To download the industry standard safety protocols, please visit: https://bit.ly/2DkQyFi
To access online training, please visit: http://covidtraining.jurni.co.za/
Further, the TBCSA remains committed to the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industries and will continue to engage industry stakeholders and the government in its efforts to collaborate and recover South Africa’s economy.
In a press briefing held today, 30 September 2020, South Africa’s National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) released further information on the re-opening of borders and ports of entry for international travellers, effective from tomorrow, 1 October.
Based on the latest WHO criteria on infection and death rates, South Africa has developed a risk categorisation model for different international travellers. This model classifies international travellers according to a scale of high, medium and low risk.
High-risk travellers are those who come from countries with higher numbers of COVID-19 infections and reported deaths compared to South Africa.
Medium risk travellers are from countries with a relatively equal number of infections and death toll to South Africa. Low-risk travellers originate from countries with lesser number of infections of COVID-19 and death toll than South Africa.
The list of countries and categorisation will be reviewed every two weeks and updated based on the latest WHO figures.
The list of countries currently considered high risk, and from which leisure travellers are not allowed can be found here, published by Business Insider. This list, beginning with the Dominican Republic is believed to be incomplete at the moment, omitting countries A-D. SATSA is currently working to source the official and complete list and will update members as soon as it is known.
Borders to reopen
Johannesburg’s OR Tambo, Durban’s King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports are the only airports that will allow international air travel to arrive or depart.
The 35 land borders that were closed during the previous lockdown levels will remain closed. The 18 land borders which were partially operational during the previous lockdown levels will be fully operational (i.e. allow passage of South Africans and permitted foreign nationals).
Entry requirements for all arrivals:
Visa services
The Department of Home Affairs is extending the validity of legally issued visas which expired during lockdown to 31 Jan 2021. This pertains to visa holders currently in South Africa who will be allowed to remain in the country under the terms of their visa. From now until 31 January, they will also be able to depart South Africa on an expired visa without being declared ‘undesirable’.
DHA services for ID cards and passports will resume in full as well as visa submissions through VFS.
Minister Naledi Pandor’s full briefing statement can be read here.