New requirements for RSA Entry after Travel Ban

[Cody hunt4life]

Heard about this today myself. I’m not scheduled to leave until Sept, I’m hoping the world takes a big chill pill by then but still makes me nervous. I understand the test I guess but the visa? Wtf is that supposed to do? Is Corona virus warded off by unnecessary paperwork?

I agree. We have had the same agreement for decades with RSA under 90 days. I just wish they would be more upfront about this being that they depend on tourism so much in this particular region of Africa. I can’t fathom what this will do to some outfitters and even taxidermists. I think you will probably be fine that far out with the intel I’ve received via the calls I’ve been on with my outfitter. To put in perspective he knows their president and has direct communication with him so I believe in what he is saying. Obviously they will do what they can to survive and make us believe all is well but after a 3 hour conversation I honestly think you will be okay and get in for your date. Unfortunately I likely won’t as I was dead set on hunting the Kudu rut so I’ll rebook for the next years rut. Best of luck to you and safe travels! My best suggestion for you is to stay positive and plan for a trip of a lifetime!! Happy hunting!

 

[Foxi]

You obviously don't know my situation nor the deal I got from my outfitter. My outfitter is reimbursing me for all of my airfare and travel costs if I'm unable to get there so maybe you should ask questions before you start talking about me like I'm stupid. I know I will very likely not get there and already have my new hunt dates saved. I have zero worry whatsoever as I know my trip is paid in full now and just gives me another year to afford even more critters. So again, think before you speak when you don't know my situation. I also get a full credit for my airfare to use through Delta to travel anywhere I want to travel through Feb 28 2021. So it was a win win my friend. I talk to the owner every day as this all comes about.

Sorry, Cody, I definitely don't mean to be snooty.
The owner knows about the virus a lot less than you, or me.
I only see what's going on here.
In Tirol/ Austria, the richest province there, was quarantined yesterday.
Several hundred- thousand people in the world want to return to their home countries and are being taken by the governments.
It's easier said than done, and new decrees are issued in the host countries at half-day intervals.
In Spain you are not even allowed to walk on the beach alone and the Guardia Civil (their Police) is not an association with a lot of humour, it's Europe,but in Africa,Asia are complete other circumstances,
Tourists are literally thrown out of lodges, hotels and restaurants because they have to close down.There are no more domestic flights to get around.If you are a suspected case you won't even get to a good hospital in xyxyhole countries because they are not equipped for it and have to close down and than you are getting in a local ,african quarantine station .Goodness heaven.
It changes overnight.Every day will be revalued.
There is no time to travel, not even for lifetimehunts. Not for them, because they are the furthest away from the infrastructure and you can get stranded somewhere.
The USA are 14 days behind the development.
Your tsunami is yet to come.
No government can afford what is coming up in the coming months.
Foxi

 

[Cody hunt4life]

Sorry, Cody, I definitely don't mean to be snooty.
The owner knows about the virus a lot less than you, or me.
I only see what's going on here.
In Tirol/ Austria, the richest province there, was quarantined yesterday.
Several hundred- thousand people in the world want to return to their home countries and are being taken by the governments.
It's easier said than done, and new decrees are issued in the host countries at half-day intervals.
In Spain you are not even allowed to walk on the beach alone and the Guardia Civil (their Police) is not an association with a lot of humour, it's Europe,but in Africa,Asia are complete other circumstances,
Tourists are literally thrown out of lodges, hotels and restaurants because they have to close down.There are no more domestic flights to get around.If you are a suspected case you won't even get to a good hospital in xyxyhole countries because they are not equipped for it and have to close down and than you are getting in a local ,african quarantine station .Goodness heaven.
It changes overnight.Every day will be revalued.
There is no time to travel, not even for lifetimehunts. Not for them, because they are the furthest away from the infrastructure and you can get stranded somewhere.
The USA are 14 days behind the development.
Your tsunami is yet to come.
No government can afford what is coming up in the coming months.
Foxi

I thank you for the apology, however I will say that the states will absolutely bounce back from these issues as we have always done. It was just frustrating that you immediately judged my decision when you didn’t know the guarantees in place via my amazing outfitter. I end up on top with the deal as I get the reimbursement for my travel that I booked as well as get a $2k USD voucher to take my family on a holiday in the meantime before my next scheduled date for 2021 where my safari is 100% paid in full via wire. It was a win win for me so we will likely be spending time with the delta credit with our friends in Hawaii which makes the wife happy and gives me another year to save even More money for additional trophies (already paid for 12 looking at 15) for my safari. I’m so lucky to have the outfitter I have and their agreement before I ever even booked with the hysteria over Covid-19. So I’ll be smashing a monster 35” axis in the meantime and be adding days and additional trophies to my list when I arrive June 2021. I hope if you have travel to RSA you are able to get in and enjoy your time and hunt and have a safe trip and happy hunting!

 

[Chago]

See above post response to the guy who thinks I "Need help". I essentially just got a free extra $2K credit to use to fly anywhere from Delta with their new COVID-19 policy for tickets purchased in the month of March.

Just take the dates and run. Because if a lot of people switch later on then yes you have a credit but flights might be packed. I changed mine on Monday. And August had literally wide open planes. I booked business both ways on points alone lol. They were giving them away. So I figured I would do that now and sleep easy knowing I'm locked and loaded. I don't want to be apart of the scramble come may when they tell everyone ya border is still closed. My two cents

 

[Cody hunt4life]

Just an update for those of you who have rescheduled you’re 2020 safaris to the 2021 hunting season...I spoke with my outfitter in RSA and as of now from what I can put together is that you have a negative test and results that was administered Within 72 hours of your departure time and an active “Covert Alert SA” app activated on your phone for your time in RSA then you should be okay without any issues. As of right now that is all that I have been provided. Has anyone else heard from a solid source of anything else I should be preparing for to ensure customs let me through into the country? I’ve also hired Afton Lodge to assist us to get through customs quickly for what I consider the best $100 I’ve ever spent just in case they give us any trouble they are supposed to handle it and get us through once we arrive meeting us right outside of our plane door and will be escorting us to the front of the line and quickly through the customs process. If it works as well as they assure me it will, best $100 I ever spent. Any additional info is greatly appreciated. My departure date is May 28th 2021 flying out of DFW to JNB before the second leg to East London (which is closest to my outfitter) any and all confirmed good travel info is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[BRICKBURN]

COVID Alert SA

Scan this and you are set.

https://www.gov.za/covid-19/resources/infographics/covid-alert-sa-app

 

[Chukar]

Covert Covid???

 

[mikecatt13]

So...what's the point of the app if you dont have phone service there? Clearly the point is the govt to track people but what's the point if you're not from there and dont have service and/or leave your phone off?

 

[Mike B]

So...what's the point of the app if you dont have phone service there? Clearly the point is the govt to track people but what's the point if you're not from there and dont have service and/or leave your phone off?

Exactly, turn off your phone or just go into the app settings and you can restrict permissions on it so that it can’t use your location, cellular data, etc.

 

[Cody hunt4life]

COVID Alert SA

Scan this and you are set.

View attachment 382236

https://www.gov.za/covid-19/resources/infographics/covid-alert-sa-app

yes sir! I already have the app on my phone and figure I'll need to activate it upon landing in RSA. Do you by chance know their current new Covid testing requirements regarding testing type? I know it's a 72 hour window to have the test administered before departure time, but do you know whether or not if it can be a rapid test or if it has to be a standard lab sent tests (non-rapid)? I have had a non-rapid test done before and it took 7 days for the results to come back (which came back negative). Any additional info you may have in more depth regarding new requirements for entry for the 2021 season you can post is greatly appreciated! I had to reschedule my 2020 trip for a departure from the states (DFW) now departing May 28, 2021 at 2.35pm CST to Newark which leaves the States to JNB at 8:45PM CST. (was unable to go in due to the RSA border closures to the USA. Any and all verified travel info and requirements for 2021 you may come across is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance @BRICKBURN for all of you help and input. This will be my first Safari in RSA. so everything helps! Thanks in advance!

 

[sestoppelman]

What if you dont have a smart phone??

 

[Cody hunt4life]

Exactly, turn off your phone or just go into the app settings and you can restrict permissions on it so that it can’t use your location, cellular data, etc.

I planned on not even registering on the app etc. until I'm landing in the case that Customs wants to look at it and verify its up and working. Not sure on the phone service part of it without having wifi. Was thinking they may have it in the airport to verify it's working? This is my first time to RSA so I'm clueless on how it all works or what to expect exactly and I'm going fairly early in the hunting season for the first 2 weeks of June 2021. I'm curious what Customs is going to look like getting through and how strict they will be on thee sort of things like this app and how well it works there. I'm paying the $100 for Afton Lodge (VIP meet and greet service) to assist to get us through customs and skip the line in Jo'Burg since we are staying at their overnight camp before our last leg of the flights from JNB to ELS the following morning.

 

[Cody hunt4life]

What if you dont have a smart phone??

tablet maybe? Great question though. Unfortunately I don't have the answer to that but I'm a newbie to hunting/travelling to SA

 

[PeteG]

I have travelled into Rsa a couple of times in the past few months and I was not asked about the app. There is a manual form that needed to be filled out at the point of entry.
they are becoming a bit more sticky concerning the test dates due to the new strain and the current elevated infection numbers but that will likely subside.

as with all African governments, the rules and requirements may change often between now and when you arrive. Between your outfitter, AH and Afton house you should be set with the current requirements.

 

[BRICKBURN]

This is the most important point to remember

............

as with all African governments, the rules and requirements may change often between now and when you arrive. .........

One access point for COVID information in RSA.
https://sacoronavirus.co.za


https://sacoronavirus.co.za/covid-19-risk-adjusted-strategy/

 

[Cody hunt4life]

I have travelled into Rsa a couple of times in the past few months and I was not asked about the app. There is a manual form that needed to be filled out at the point of entry.
they are becoming a bit more sticky concerning the test dates due to the new strain and the current elevated infection numbers but that will likely subside.

as with all African governments, the rules and requirements may change often between now and when you arrive. Between your outfitter, AH and Afton house you should be set with the current requirements.

I'm sure hoping to. I think I've hired just about everyone possible other than a travel agent to assist in making sure I have my ducks in a row to gain access into RSA through customs. Worth every penny for a small fraction of the peace of mind it gives me of successful entry.

 

[wesheltonj]

There are no problems that enough dollars cannot solve.

 

[BRICKBURN]

yes sir! I already have the app on my phone and figure I'll need to activate it upon landing in RSA. Do you by chance know their current new Covid testing requirements regarding testing type? ... ..........

Borders

The 18 land borders which were partially operational, will be fully operational and the 34 land borders which were closed, will remain closed except for the Kosibay Port of Entry which will reopen on 1 January 2021.

Traveling to and from the Republic is allowed, subject to subregulation (3).

All international travel is permitted subject to the traveler providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel;
(b) in the event of the traveler's failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test. the traveler will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at his or her own costs; and
(c) in the event of a traveler testing positive for COVID-19, he or she will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own cost.

International air travel is restricted to the following airports -
(a) OR Tambo International Airport;
(b) King Shaka International Airport; and
(c) Cape Town International Airport.

Travelling to South Africa

Travellers intending to visit the country will be expected to produce a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such test.

Upon arrival in the port of entry, the traveller will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Travellers will also need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country.

Should the traveller display any COVID-19–related symptoms or been in contact with an infected person(s), they will be expected to take a mandatory COVID-19 test. This test will be at the traveller’s cost. If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the traveller will be subjected to a 10 day quarantine at a designated site. The accommodation at a quarantine site will be at the traveller’s cost.

Feel free to read more details in the link.

https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individuals-and-households/travel-coronavirus-covid-19

 

[sphillips]

Cody, I’m scheduled to leave for JNB fist of May. My doctor suggested using passport health for the covid test (and any immunizations). Looks like y’all have them in TX as well. I’ve talked with other people that have used them recently and the results where back fast.
Since I’m departing a few weeks before you, I can let you know my experience.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Thanks to all for the updates. I will be following this. You all leave before I do on June 1.
Houston to Doha to JNB