Travel to South Africa during Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
South Africa is available to book, open now
At a glance
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Proof of vaccination:
NO
Test pre-travel:
YES
Form pre-travel:
YES
Test on arrival:
NO
Screening on arrival:
YES
Quarantine on arrival:
NO
Test during stay:
NO
RETURN REQUIREMENTS
Test pre-return travel:
YES
Test on return:
YES
Quarantine on return:
YES
| ENTRY REQUIREMENTS | |
|---|---|
| Proof of vaccination: | Not required |
| Test pre-travel: | PCR Test |
| PCR Test locations: | https://covidtraveladvice.kuoni.co.uk/pcr-test-locations |
| Test time: |
All travellers, whether fully vaccinated or not, must complete a COVID-19 PCR with a negative result taken no more than 3 days (72 hours) before your departure to South Africa. You will need to show a paper copy of your results which much have your name and the time the sample was taken, along with the name and signature of the practitioner conducting the test. Children aged under 5 are exempt from the need to take a test before travel. |
| On arrival: |
Upon arrival in South Africa, you will need to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) COVID-19 test to border officials. The test must have taken place no more than 72 hours before your departure. It should be conducted by a certified medical practitioner, and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test. We advise that you carry several paper copies of your test, as you may need to present it more than once on your journey. You will also be temperature checked on arrival into South Africa. |
| Form pre-travel: | Traveller Health Declaration must be completed 24 hours prior to arrival. |
| Traveller Health Declaration: | https://www.airports.co.za/Documents/ENTRY%20SCREENING%20THQ.pdf |
| RETURN REQUIREMENTS | |
|---|---|
| Test pre-return travel: |
If you are fully vaccinated and returning from a Green / Rest of World list country, then you will not need to take a pre-departure test before returning to the UK. Children aged 17 and under are also exempt, regardless of their vaccination status if returning to England, Scotland or Wales. If you are returning to Northern Ireland and are aged 11 or over, then you must take a pre-departure test before you return. If you are returning back from a red list destination, or are not fully vaccinated, then you must take a test and return a negative result within the 3 days (72 hours) before you depart to the UK. You will be required to show your test results before you board the return flight home. The test must meet the performance standards of above 97% specificity and above 80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies\ml. The test can be a PCR test, a LAMP test or an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device as long as they meet the performance standards Your test result can be provided as:
Many hotels around the world will be able to assist in arranging the test for you, either by having a doctor to visit the hotel, or directing you to the nearest clinic and booking an appointment for you. It is advisable to speak with the hotel once you arrive on the options available to ensure you are able to book an appointment for an appropriate time. There are also companies who will provide you with a test from the UK and arrange a video call in your destination to verify the test and the result. |
| Test on return: |
You will be required to take a test on your return back to the United Kingdom. The details of which will vary as below, depending on the classification of the country you are arriving from. Green / Rest of World list countries Travellers who are fully vaccinated If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the green / ROW list, then you will be required to undergo a further COVID-19 PCR test at your own expense on or before day 2 of your return into the country. You must ensure that this test is booked before returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. You may need to place the confirmation reference number on your Passenger Locator Form. This need to be completed and submitted before your departure home. If you are returning back to England from the 24th October 2021, then you will be able to book and undergo a lateral flow test at your own expense on or before day 2 of your return. You will still need to book this test before returning to England and place a confirmation reference number on your passenger locator form. If you are returning to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you must continue to follow the PCR guidance as above. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the green / ROW list, then you will be required to undergo 2 further COVID-19 PCR tests at your own expense on or before day 2 and also on day 8 of your return into the country. You must ensure that this test is booked before returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. You may need to place the confirmation number on your Passenger Locator Form. This will need to be completed and submitted before your departure home. You will also need to follow the quarantine requirements, detailed in the 'Quarantine on return' section. If you are aged between 5 and 17 and reside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, then you will need to book and pay for a day 2 test on your return to the UK. If you are aged between 11 and 17 and reside in Scotland, then you will also need to book and pay for a day 2 test on your return to the UK. Anyone under these ages (10 and under in Scotland and 4 and under everywhere else - will be exempt from these tests) Red list countries If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the red list then you will need to ensure you have booked yourself into government approved hotel quarantine for a 10 day period whether you are fully vaccinated, or not. You will be required to undergo 2 further COVID-19 PCR tests at your own expense on your return to the country in your quarantine hotel. These tests will need to be taken on or before day 2 and on day 8 of your 10 day quarantine period. You must ensure that your hotel quarantine. along with your test package is booked before returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. You will need to place the confirmation reference number on your Passenger Locator Form. this needs to be completed and submitted before your departure home to the United Kingdom. |
| Quarantine on return: |
Green / Rest of World List countries Travellers who are fully vaccinated If you are able to prove that you have been fully vaccinated in the United Kingdom, then you will not need to quarantine on arrival back into England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. This also applies to children aged 17 and under regardless of their vaccination status. To be classed as fully vaccinated, at least 14 days must have passed since the second of your two dose vaccination was given. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated If you are not fully vaccinated, then you will need to complete 10 days of quarantine at home once you arrive back into England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. You may be able to take a test on day 5 which will release you from quarantine early if negative. Red list countries If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the Red list, then you will be required to book yourself into a government approved hotel quarantine for a 10 day period. This must be booked before you travel to the country. You will also need to follow the testing guidance as above. The cost of the hotel quarantine is to be covered by the traveller. This applies to all travellers whether you are fully vaccinated, or not. Children will also need to follow these rules. |
| FURTHER INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Foreign Office Advice: | https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa |
| Local regulations: | There is a curfew in place across the country between the hours of 12 midnight and 4am each day. You must be in your accommodation before the curfew begins. All non-essential businesses must close by 11pm each evening. You are legally required to wear a face mask when in public and you should maintain social distancing where possible. |
Remember to check countries you’re due to transit through as well as your destination.
The Information contained on this page is accurate to the best of our knowledge. It is provided as guidance only and is subject to review and change. Please check with official sources before booking and again regularly prior to travel, as information and requirements can change frequently and with little notice. Please visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice or visit gov.uk/travelaware for country-specific information.
Last updated: 14.10.2021 at 16:54