Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has provided answers on some
of the government’s key level 1 lockdown regulations.
Responding in a written parliamentary Q&A to the
Democratic Alliance, Mkhize detailed the rules in place for travellers who are
arriving from other countries and those South African who cannot
self-quarantine at home.
What happens to persons who cannot self-quarantine because
of insufficient space in their own homes, but equally cannot afford to pay
for government quarantine in a 4-star hotel?
South Africans that are unable to self-quarantine at home
are directed to a state-run facility where they will be able to quarantine.
There is no charge for the use of this facility.
Do students from other countries have to undergo weekly
Covid-19 tests in line with (the level 1) regulations?
Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or
teach at a school in the Republic, as well as children below the age of five
years, are exempted from the provisions of subparagraph (3)(b) but must comply
with the re-entry requirements set out by the Department of Home Affairs.
With reference to persons visiting accepted overseas
destinations on holiday but cannot access Covid-19 testing overseas, how are
the specified persons accommodated upon their return?
Such persons would need to quarantine at a designated
facility for 10 days or alternatively do a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
immediately upon entry into the country, once the results are available such
person is able to apply for early release from quarantine, the period for this
is process can be between 24 to 72 hours.
Under South Africa’s level 1 lockdown rules, travellers will
be screened for any Covid-19 symptoms and will also be screened for contact
with people who have been in contact with others who could have had Covid-19.
Travellers will also need to provide proof of accommodation
addresses in case they need to self-isolate. International travel around the
world has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Those who are
found to have Covid-19 after entering the country will be required to isolate
for 10 days at their own cost.
Do people visiting accepted overseas destinations on holiday
have to apply for self-quarantine before their return?
No, persons visiting accepted overseas destinations do not
need to apply for self-quarantine before their return as requirements and
procedures for level one have changed aligning with easing of lockdown
restrictions. Persons returning into the country are required to produce
negative PCR tests which are not older than 72 hours from date of travel.
The Department of Home Affairs published its updated list
of high-risk countries on 19 October.
Leisure travellers from high-risk countries will not be
permitted. The exception will be business travellers with scarce and critical
skills including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors and people
participating in professional sporting and, events will undergo the same health
protocol screenings.
The previous list of high-risk destination had 60 countries.
The latest update carries only 22.
The new list as follows:
Argentina
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
France
Germany
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
USA
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