South Africa News

Covid travel list as tourism awaits list of countries barred from SA

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2020

The US, the UK, France, Brazil and India – these are some of the countries that could be barred from sending travellers to SA when international travel resumes on October 1.

And as global airlines prepare to fly into the country once more, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said its crew will be clad in full personal protective equipment [PPE] when processing passengers.

The Sunday Times understands from senior government sources that there are
serious discussions about which countries to allow in and which ones to place on the high-risk list, amid concerns that barring SA’s closest trading partners could risk “diplomatic issues”.

On Friday, co-operative governance & traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma released level 1 regulations stipulating that all countries in Africa will be allowed in, but other countries with high infection rates will still be barred from SA.

The list is being compiled by health minister Zweli Mkhize in conjunction with other relevant ministries and will be gazetted before October 1.

All arriving travellers will be required to produce a negative Covid-19 test conducted at most 72 hours before departure.

Senior government insiders said there have been discussions about how to accommodate SA’s Brics partners – Brazil, Russia, India and China – and whether they should gain access as a bloc.

“The argument is, do we continue trade and tourism based on our Brics partnership or do we close our doors and risk diplomatic issues?” said a senior government insider who asked not to be named.

Others with intimate knowledge of the discussions said it would not make sense to include Brazil and India, which have the second- and third-highest global infection rates, while placing the US and some of the major EU countries on the high-risk list.

Speaking to the Sunday Times on Friday, tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said SA is using World Health Organisation guidelines to determine which countries to allow in when international travel resumes.

The WHO advises countries resuming international travel to consider transmission patterns, national public health and social measures for controlling outbreaks in both departure and destination countries, and public health capacity to manage suspected and confirmed cases among travellers, including at airports and other points of entry.

The tourism minister said individuals from countries considered high risk can be allowed into SA if they can prove they have investments here or are coming for strategic work.

“If country A has been categorised as high risk, someone who has invested in South Africa and has to come and check their project, they are able to apply to the home affairs minister to say I have an investment and want to check on it. The minister can approve for that person to come, provided they produce a negative test within 72 hours of travel,” Kubayi-Ngubane said.

The high-risk list will be reviewed every two weeks. If a banned country’s infection rate declines, it will be moved off the list.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad has published a safety guide for passengers. The airline’s SA country manager, Karlene Barkley, said the measures include supplying “wellness kits” of masks and sanitisers to passengers, crew in full PPE gear and all on-board food tested and served according to accepted health guidelines.

South African travel and tourism players said this week they are now anxiously waiting for the government to release the list of countries whose citizens are welcome in SA.

“It will be critical,” said André Schulz, Lufthansa’s general manager for Southern and East Africa. Schulz said the airline – which has been operating weekly repatriation flights throughout the lockdown – has seen a steady increase in inquiries about return-trip tickets and commercial flights.

Brett Hoppé, general manager of the Sun City resort, was upbeat about the resumption of international travel. “The return of international flights is great news – it really gears things up.”

He said the list of high-risk countries is intriguing as banning US travellers, for example, could be interpreted as not supporting that country, which could create negative sentiment in an important market for SA.

“It will also be interesting to see how the market reacts and if it’s like it was when domestic travel started up again.”

South African travel companies said local travellers are being cautious while they wait for the government to publish the high-risk list, as this might also affect outbound travellers from SA. “People are waiting to see which countries they are allowed to travel to,” said Pentravel marketing and product manager Vicky Steinhardt.

Kubayi-Ngubane said the resumption of international travel will not immediately bring back all the 10-million-plus travellers who used to arrive in SA annually, but it is crucial to save a battered sector.

Smaller outlets such as bed-and-breakfasts were hardest hit as they did not have the cash reserves to survive six months of lockdown, she said, but she is confident that in areas that rely heavily on international tourists, most of the establishments that were shut down will reopen once international tourists return.

SA, she said, is a destination that offers a variety of attractions, and international tourists can take advantage of that.

“Destination South Africa in terms of products is very diverse. What we are analysing is that the international traveller will not want to move from one country to another, but will want to remain in one country. With everything that we offer, we believe we can become a destination of choice. We offer wildlife, nature, coastal areas, cities, mountains, etcetera.”

A number of African countries have already indicated to the government that they are ready to receive flights and travellers from SA. The continent accounts for 71% of all inbound travel. For global tourists, the fear is that their countries could require them to quarantine upon returning home, which might discourage them from travelling to SA, Kubayi-Ngubane noted.

Source: Timeslive

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South Africa News

Godswill Akpabio advocates reduction in cost of governance

Published

2 months ago

May 13, 2024

Nancy M

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for transparency, accountability and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures to cut down on the cost of governance in the country. Akpabio made the call on Monday at a one-day dialogue on the cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.

Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Agom Jarigbe (PDP-Rivers) highlighted the possible factors contributing to the high cost of governance in the country.He said the size of the country’s bureaucracy, the escalating public service wage bills, the overhead costs of appointed public officials, and the salaries and allowances of elected officials are major factors.

According to him, the running of government institutions among other substantial components contributed to weighing down the economy and hindering development efforts. Let us hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for the betterment of our nation. We have to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively, serving the needs of the people and fostering sustainable development,” he said.

The president of the senate emphasized the need to streamline bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensured transparency and accountability at all levels of governance. We must invest in our human capital, empowering our public officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress.

“And we must foster a culture of innovation and creativity, where new ideas can flourish and transform our nation,” he said.Akpabio urged all Nigerians to remain united, become agents of change and be committed to making sacrifices for the nation. He said that the 10th Assembly was ready to partner with all stakeholders to do everything within its constitutional powers to make Nigeria for all citizens.

Source: pmnewsnigeria

In other news – Bad leaders making the life of Nigerians miserable – Pastor Giwa

The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, lamented that the economic situation in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse under President Bola Tinubu.

The clergyman noted that bad leaders were intentionally making life miserable for Nigerians. Read more

South Africa News

South African Online Casino Player Strikes Gold with R189,000 Win at Tusk Casino

Published

3 months ago

May 6, 2024

Addie K

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South Africa News

Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal

Published

4 months ago

March 31, 2024

Addie K

Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal. Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.

This was a game that made a nonsense of its billing as a potential classic, as Arsenal’s containing tactics snuffed out City while the Gunners had only limited chances of their own in a desperately poor affair.

Nathan Ake had an early close-range header saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before going off injured while former City striker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross inches from goal after the break.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome – but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.

Guardiola’s side were under greater pressure to win this match but their usual fluent passing game was rarely in evidence, stifled by the visitors’ organisation and infuriated by referee Anthony Taylor’s reluctance to punish the Gunners for a succession of infringements.

It led to a scrappy, disjointed game in which City were never allowed to gather their usual momentum and rhythm, with even the best efforts of master creators Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva unable to carve out meaningful opportunities for Erling Haaland, who was kept on the margins throughout.

The hosts held sway in possession for most of the second half but it was illustrative of the game that Raya barely had an anxious moment, his counterpart Stefan Ortega also idle for long periods.

Indeed, it is the first time City have failed to score at home in the Premier League since October 2021, a run of 47 games.

The reigning champions, as usual, will remain confident of retaining their title but Guardiola will be bitterly disappointed at his side’s failure to trouble Arsenal, with substitute Jack Grealish on the end of some lengthy post-match advice from his manager.

City are back here at Etihad Stadium to face in-form Aston Villa on Wednesday night knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups in this tight Premier League title pursuit.

Arsenal arrived at Manchester City with a point to make and a chance to show their improvement at a ground where they have had a miserable record in the past.

The Gunners last won here in January 2015, drawing one and losing eight of their subsequent nine visits before this game.

Here, Arteta set his side out to be fiercely drilled and well-organised to frustrate, a strategy seemingly designed to earn the point they secured rather than risk more for victory.

It was a conservative approach but what it did demonstrate was that Arsenal do have more resilience and character than on previous occasions, when they have sometimes capitulated under City’s attacking assault.

Arteta’s side were composed but also willing to throw bodies on the line when danger threatened, not that they were ever in serious peril of conceding – a tribute to their display in itself.

They have kept clean sheets in both games against Manchester City this season, making them only the fourth team to shut out a Guardiola side twice in the same season.

Whether this is one point gained or two lost remains to be seen, but Arteta seemed satisfied enough at the final whistle.

source – BBC