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At the end of September, the government announced that we would once more be opening our borders to international visitors, provided that the country that they came from didn’t fall on our ‘red list’ (high-risk countries that will be denied entry).

The list was determined by measuring infection rates on a scale of high, medium, and low risk.

Medium-risk travellers come from countries where the rates of infection and the death toll are similar to that of South Africa, while low-risk travellers come from countries with lower infection and death rates.

High-risk countries, such as the US, have recorded infection rates and reported deaths higher than those reported in South Africa.

When Minister Naledi Pandor first made the announcement, the red list was extensive but subject to change as the government monitored the situation.

Now, according to MyBroadband, the list has been reduced, with more than half the countries initially listed given the all-clear to enter South Africa.

The Department of Home Affairs says that the revised list of high-risk countries has been constructed to strike a balance between saving lives and protecting the livelihoods of those in industries that rely on tourism.

“Nothing has changed as far as all travellers from the continent of Africa are concerned. They are still welcome to visit the country subject to COVID-19 protocols,” the department said.

The new list of high-risk countries, per The Citizen.

• Argentina
• Bangladesh
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• France
• Germany
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Italy
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Peru
• Philippines
• Russia
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• USA

Countries not on the red list will be granted entry provided they comply with the safety procedures in place at all airports.

Travellers from high-risk countries who will still be able to enter include business travellers, holders of critical skills visas, investors, and people on an international visit for sports, arts, culture, and science.

Those seeking permission to travel to South Africa must email their requests, and provide a copy of their passport and temporary residence visa, proof of business activities to be undertaken, proof of travel itinerary and proof of address or accommodation.

That email address, for easy access: Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za. You’ll apparently receive a response within 24 hours, but we recommend sending your email long before you intend to travel, just to be safe.

Travellers from select European countries who usually visit South Africa, many of whom own property, will also be allowed in, subject to a three-month visitation period or longer, and COVID-19 protocols.

[sources:mybroadband&citizen]