Information about Covid-19 in South Africa

LATEST UPDATED 2022-09-10

South Africa has lifted its coronavirus travel restrictions. You no longer need to present proof of vaccination status, or a PCR test.

South Africa is rolling out its national Covid-19 vaccine programme, which aims to vaccinate 40 million South Africans. As of 7 June 2022: Vaccinations have gained serious momentum and the stats show that 50,21 % of the population above 18 years of age has been vaccinated completely. In Western Cape the figure is 57,21 %, in Franschhoek the figure is 80 % and at the Marine Hotel in Hermanus 100 % of the staff are vaccinated. The used vaccines are Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Read more here.

Covid-19 history:
President Ramaphosa’s early action and the imposition of strict restrictions led to that the country has been under one of the world’s strictest lockdown since March 26 – 2020. Then alert level 5 was introduced, which meant that the residents were forced to stay at home, not allowed to exercise nor walk their dogs. Alcohol and cigarette sales have been banned.

The significant decrease in new infections enabled the country to move to coronavirus alert level 2. With the further progress made as infections have come down further, South Africa was then ready for a new phase in response to the pandemic. The move to alert level 1 took effect from midnight on Sunday 20 September 2020.

With the move to alert level 1, South Africa have gradually and cautiously eased restrictions and allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020. This is subject to various containment and mitigation measures. On the 11th of November President Ramaphosa announced that all countries are welcome to visit South Africa. Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.

Midnight of 28 December 2020 South Africa returned to alert level 3. The move came as the country breached one million mark in Covid-19 infections and record daily increases. New restictions as follows: alcohol ban, curfew hours from 9 pm to 5 am and still compulsory to wear a mask in public space. Beaches, parks and pools closed in hotspot areas and most indoor and outdoor gatherings is not be permitted. On the 11 of January 2021 these restrictions were extended until 15th of February 2021.

1st of February South Africa eased their restrictions due to Covid-19 cases have dropped significantly. New curfew from hours from 10 pm to 4 am. Alcohol sales now open and beaches and parks to be open across the country.

On Sunday 28th of February South Africa moves back to level 1 with more eased restrictions.

As the country feard a third wave of Covid-19 cases, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 15 June 2021 that adjusted alert level 3 will be in place from 16 June 2021. The new crufew hours would be from 10 pm to 4 am and alcohol sell will only be permitted from Monday to Thursday. Gatherings will be restricted again.

Due to the Delta variant rapidly spreading, on 28 June 2021 the country moved to adjusted alert level 4. New restrictions with curfew hours from 9 pm to 4 am, the sale of alcohol prohibited, all gatherings prohibited except funerals that may not exceed 50 people. Restaurants would only be permitted to sell food for take-away or delivery. Travel between provinces for leasure purposes would be prohibited etc.

26 of July South Africa eased the restrictions again due to cases have dropped from the third wave. Alert level 3 with new curfew from 10 pm to 4 am and alcohol will be allowed for off-site purchased from Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm. Eased gatherings regulations in place.

On the 13th of September the country moved to alert level 2 with eased restrictions.

1st of October South Africa moved to adjusted alert level 1 with easted restrictions and a curfew from midnight to 4 pm.

In late November 2021 a new variant, called omicron, was first reportet in South Africa and a fourth wawe spreading in the country.

On the 30th of December the curfew was removed and on 23th of March 2022, wearing a mask in public indoors spaces is still mandatory, but masks are not required outdoors any longer. PCR-test for fully vaccinated travellers removed.

The country has become the 30th most affected of Covid-19 cases in the world.

For the latest Covid-19 information from the South African Government, click here.

Flight tickets

We help you arrange your own flight, which gives you a better chance to chose the travel times and departure. If you are flexible about your travel dates, you will be able to select very good prices. We recommend to fly overnight with a stopover, regardless of company, as you save a travel day and usually arrive early morning / morning the day after (GMT + 2). Many airlines offer the “multi stop” service, which means that you can fly out to, for example, Cape Town and home from, for example, Johannesburg (or vice versa). For better prices on flights, make sure to book your flight long time in advance.

Car rental / Transport and infrastructure

The infrastructure in Western Cape Province is very similar to that found in Europe. Renting a car is affordable (left hand traffic is the rule) and an International driver’s license is accepted. Contact Upplev Sydafrika and we can assist in booking your rental car. If you prefer a transport between the cities, we gladly assist in bookings.

Passport / Visa

Depending on your nationality, the passport and visa rules can vary. Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more informaiton.

Travel with children under 18 years

Effective 1 June 2015, South African Authorities require that all children, under the age of 18, travelling to / from South Africa, be in possession of their original unabridged birth certificate reflecting both parents full names and surname. Children travelling with only one parent or other person or where one parent or both parents are deceased, must be in possession of an affidavit from the remaining parent/s or guardian, permitting the child to travel or copy of the deceased person’s death certificate when applicable.

Vaccinations

Information about vaccinations can be found at the local clinics.

When entering South Africa, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all foreign visitors and residents travelling from an affected area or who have traveled through affected areas.

Currency and credit card

The currency is the South African Rand, ZAR. Cash machines (ATM) are available in most towns. Most credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Time diffrerence

GMT + 2.

Tips

It is standard practice to offer tips in restaurants (10 %). It is even custom to give a tip of several rands to the driver, porter, traffic guard, and personnel at gas stations.

Mobile phone

Check your mobile operator regarding the costs of making calls from your mobile. It might be a cheaper alterntive to bring an extra phone and buy “airtime” if you are planning to call locally in South Africa. It is worth spending some time arranging a local SIM card, especially since you can be connected everywhere (on the roads) where there is no existing wifi. Also check with your mobile operator regarding data bundle in South Africa.

Electricity

220/240 volts, three holed socket. An adapter will be needed, which can easily be bought locally.

Security and safety

South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and the gap between the rich and the poor is very large. It is relatively safe to go for walks around Cape Town but as in the case in many large cities, it is wise to use common sense and caution. Make sure that you leave your valuables at the hotel / accommodation. Avoid large and visible jewelry which can attract unnecessary attention. Avoid drivning while it is dark and do not leave anything of value in the car.

Travel and cancellation insurance

Please review your insurance / protection for cancellation in case of illness before making a booking with Upplev Sydafrika. Contact your insurance company for the most suitable travel insurance.

Special meals

If you have specific requests concerning meals, please inform Upplev Sydafrika when you book your trip.

Smokers

Please inform Upplev Sydafrika when you make a booking if you wish to be given a smokers room. This alternative cannot be guaranteed as some Hotels / Bed & Breakfast / Guest houses only offer non smoking rooms.

Double room

Please inform Upplev Sydafrika when you make a booking if you prefer a double bed or two separate single beds, twin beds. We cannot guarantee this option is available at all Hotels / Bed & Breakfast / Guest houses.

Per person sharing

Most bookings with Upplev Sydafrika include accommodation with share in a double room. If you are travelling by yourself be aware that an additional single supplement will be added.

Check in / check out

With most accommodation in South Africa, check-in time is 14.00-15.00 and check-out time is 10.00-11.00 am. Deviations to these times are possible.