The South African government announced last week that they’re lifting all international travel restrictions. From immediate effect, all countries are able to travel to South Africa. Incoming travellers are required to submit at the point of international departure, a negative PCR Covid Test taken with 72 hours from the date of departure from their home country. PCR Covid Tests are readily available in Port Elizabeth, should your home country require one upon your return. We’ve been in contact with Ampath, a pathology lab in Port Elizabeth. Currently the waiting period for test results is 24 hours but due to better testing procedure they expect this to decrease to as little as 30 minutes by the end of November 2020.
New Covid infections have stabilized here and our recovery rate is amongst the highest in the world. The onset of summer seemed to help although a second wave as experienced in other parts of the world is still a possibility. Our government has publicly acknowledged that we can’t afford a second lockdown or restrictions on travel that will negatively impact our tourism sector any further. It’s highly unlikely that they will impose any future restrictions, no matter what the Covid status within or outside South Africa.
Our airports and public spaces have strict hygiene protocols in place.