TRAVEL UPDATES

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand you may have questions regarding your trip.

Please visit our Coronavirus Update page for the latest information and answers to your inquiries.

To ensure a seamless vacation experience, we recommend checking www.gov.za/services/travel-outside-sa/advice-south-african-nationals-travelling-abroad for the most current travel updates related to your chosen destination.

Bali

www.welcomebacktobali.com/blog/entry-exit-requirements

Ireland

www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland

Maldives

immigration.gov.mv/tourist-visa

Mauritius

passport.govmu.org/passport/?page_id=605

Mozambique

www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/mozambique/passport-visa

Reunion

www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10610?lang=en

Seychelles

www.ics.gov.sc/visa-and-travel/visiting-seychelles

Thailand

www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-tourist-visa

Turkey

www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa#:~:text=to%2030%20days.-,Ordinary%20passport%20holders%20are%20required%20to%20have%20visa%20to%20enter,are%20required%20to%20have%20visa.

Zanzibar

eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa

The European Union has lifted the aviation travel ban to South Africa and other Southern African countries, facilitating increased travel opportunities.

Currently holding the rotating EU presidency, France announced that this decision removes the emergency brake imposed in November. Travelers from these regions will now face the same health restrictions as those from other countries.

Previously, the EU had restricted air travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe while evaluating the Omicron variant. Despite regional concerns, the EU maintained these restrictions despite a global rise in cases.

The European Commission had urged member states to reconsider the travel ban and implement pre-departure PCR testing for EU entry. Some countries have already eased their restrictions.

Although the EU coordinates travel policies, individual governments are responsible for enforcing specific travel rules.

Thailand will resume its quarantine-free travel scheme on February 1, after it was paused due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant's rapid spread.

The travel restrictions significantly impacted Thailand’s tourism sector, leading to a sharp decline in visitor numbers.

To counteract its worst economic downturn since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Thailand introduced the "test and go" program in November to eliminate two weeks of hotel quarantine.

The program was suspended in late November due to Omicron concerns, but with no significant increase in deaths or hospitalizations, it will restart with ongoing monitoring.

The tourism ministry projects around five million international visitors to Thailand in 2022, a drop from nearly 40 million pre-pandemic.