International travel: South Africa set to reopen its borders ‘within days’

A briefing, presented by the Department of Home Affairs on their preparations and readiness to open the land borders of South Africa, has revealed that the country is gearing up to allow more routes of international travel through its key national points.

International travel: South Africa set to reopen its borders

According to the ministry, there’s a clear road-map that allows 20 land borders – including the busy ports of entry at Beitbridge and Lebombo – to allow foreign nationals back into Mzansi. A series of interventions have been jotted-up, to help prevent the same chaotic scenes we witnessed over the festive season from happening again.

A timetable of the ‘finishing touches’ has since been made public:

• – 10 February: Home Affairs expect to have their ‘border reopening plans’ finalised.
• – 12 February: Final improvement of infrastructure at border posts to be completed.
• – 12 February: Confirmation of additional police support to be given.
• – 14 February: Installation of all hand sanitisation stations to be completed at 20 land crossings. It’s about this time the ports of entry could reopen.
• – 15 February: State of Disaster laws expire, but are likely to be renewed beforehand.
• – February 2021 (exact date not known): Ensure an additional three officers per testing point in place.

Huge changes coming to SA’s biggest land crossings

Home Affairs have a broad plan: They will increase both testing capacity and the police presence at some of South Africa’s busiest land borders. A ticket system will also be introduced, ensuring that there will be no huge swell of crowds that could cause a super-spreader event. Going forward, international travel will be regulated in a stricter fashion…

“We have had a meeting with our colleagues from the Health Department: We have asked for additional testing capacity at border points. We also want them to send more people to deal with higher demand. Queue management systems must be upgraded and reviewed.”

“Testing should be diverted and confined to a selected number of ports where adequate capacity exists. We want the inclusion of private-sector testing stations to ensure adequate services are available. Also, the implementation of a ticket system that will manage the queues for those travellers who are in need of antigen testing.”

“We’ve agreed on certain things that need to be done to reopen our borders. More signings and markings have been put in place at border points, with more hand sanitisation stations and fencing brought in. The delegation of Public Order Policing will also be increased, so we can deal with unruly crowds and undocumented travellers in a more efficient manner.”

Home Affairs