COVID-19 Information (2024)

COVID-19 Information

Last updated: May 26, 2023

By U.S. Mission South Africa

For non-U.S. citizens seeking information about current travel restrictions affecting travel to the United States, please seehttps://za.usembassy.gov/visas/

*** All non-immigrant, non-U.S. citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.

*** Effective June 12, 2022, the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) has rescinded the Order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States. This means thatstarting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the U.S.Check the CDC website for additional information andFrequently Asked Questions.

*** Effective at midnight on May 11, 2023 COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international air travelers to the United States have been lifted. You can find more information here:The Biden-Harris Administration Will End COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees, Contractors, International Travelers, Head Start Educators, and CMS-Certified Facilities | The White House

By U.S. Mission South Africa

Country-Specific Information

On June 22, 2022, the Government of South Africa announced that the remaining COVID-19 regulations have been repealed. For more information, visit the Government of South Africa’s announcement.

By U.S. Mission South Africa

COVID-19 Testing

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in South Africa? Yes.
  • PCR testing is widely available. There are some private enterprises running COVID-19 testing with a price around $80-100 USD.
• If so, are test results available within one calendar day? Yes.
  
  • PCR test results are generally available in one calendar day, in line with CDC regulations. U.S. citizens should check with the facility or laboratory for specific information on how long on average it takes to receive results.
• Information on where and how to obtain a COVID-19 test:
  
  • Locations: Hospitals will generally only conduct COVID-19 tests for incoming patients in possession of a doctor’s letter. The U.S. Embassy does not recommend any specific testing facilities, but is aware of several providers, including: Ampath Laboratories, NextPathology Biosciences, Lancet Laboratories, Dis-Chem Pharmacy, PathCare, Epicenter, Biosmart Laboratories, Travel Doctor, and some urgent care / day clinics like Intercare. Several testing sites offer a drive-through option, while others have private appointments. Please check with testing centers for more information.
  • Payment: Public sector testing is free of charge; however, this option is not available for testing for travel purposes only. At private testing facilities, U.S. citizens must pay for their COVID-19 test; it is not covered by the South African government. Verify payment options with the testing facility. Inquire with the respective laboratory to verify their testing costs and requirements. It is advisable to check with your health insurance to ascertain if they will cover the costs for the test.
  • Cost: Average cost for a COVID-19 PCR test is $50-60 USD (R850.00). Some private testing enterprises may charge up to $80-100 USD.
• Delivery of Results:Most testing facilities will return test results electronically by email and text message.
• Further information:U.S. citizens may visit the government of South Africa’s Coronavirus FAQ pageHERE, or call the NICD hotline at 0800-029-999 for more information on testing facilities.

By U.S. Mission South Africa

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Are vaccines available in South Africa for U.S. citizens to use? Yes

South Africa has received sufficient vaccine doses and is vaccinating South African citizens and non-citizens over the age of 12. Please see South Africa’s vaccine strategy for COVID-19HEREand continue to monitor South Africa’s vaccination rollout plan.

Which vaccines are available in South Africa?

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.

The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination or visitthis pagefor more information.

By U.S. Mission South Africa

Entry & Exit Requirements

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

• UPDATE: The South African Government announced on June 22, 2022, that the remaining COVID-19 regulations have been repealed. Travelers entering South Africa are no longer required to produce vaccination certificates or recent negative PCR tests.

• Visa Information: For foreigners present in South Africa, the South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced new directives extending the validity of legally-acquired visas or permits until the end of December 2021 for holders who have not departed South Africa since the announcement of the National State of Disaster in March 2020, and arrived with a valid visa between December 2019 and 14 March 2021. Holders of such visas are permitted to remain in the country under the conditions of their visas until the end of December 2021. Those wishing to be repatriated to their countries within this period can depart without being declared “undesirable persons.” The extension does not apply to people who entered the country from 15 March 2021. The normal validity period of visas of people admitted into the country from 15 March 2021 applies. Please note that it is incumbent on the individual to contact DHA for details about the visa extension process. If you are an American citizen in South Africa wanting more information on prospective travel to the United States, please ensure you are enrolled in theSmart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive the most current information. The U.S. Mission to South Africa’s American Citizen Services will send any updates to the public by email through STEP, which is the U.S. Department of State’s central platform for mass email communication.

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? No.

Movement Restrictions

• Is a curfew in place? No.
  
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No.

Quarantine Information:

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No.

Transportation Options

Are commercial flights operating? Yes.

• Domestic and international air travel is operating within South Africa.

Is public transportation operating? Yes.

By U.S. Mission South Africa

Other Resources

Consular Operations:

• U.S. Consulates GeneralJohannesburg,Cape Town, andDurbanhave resumed all American Citizen Services. Should you require services at your nearest U.S. Consulate in South Africa, please write or call using contact information at https://za.usembassy.gov/contact/#emergencies.
• Visa Services: The U.S. Consulates General in South Africa are conducting visa interviews and accepting interview waiver applications. If you fall into one of these categories and are unable to schedule an immediate appointment or interview waiver please follow instructions athttps://ais.usvisa-info.comto request an expedited appointment or email your nearest U.S. Consulate.If you are eligible to apply for or renew your visa under the interview waiver program, we strongly encourage you do so. Eligibility is determined based on the answers provided to questions during the online appointment scheduling process.For questions regarding scheduling an appointment online, requesting an expedited appointment, or renewing your U.S. visa via courier, please call +27 87 550 2160. Customer service center agents are available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm local time.

Local Resources:

• View U.S. Embassy Pretoria’s most recentalerts
• President Ramaphosa’sstatementregarding Alert Level 1
• Ministry of Home Affair’sstatementon reopening borders
• Information about travel for individuals from high-risk countries in theGovernment Gazette
• COVID-19 information page on National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
• Department of Home Affairs pagefor latest information on travel requirements for South Africa
• COVID-19 Corona Virus: South African Resource Portalanddata free portal(no data or airtime to needed for access)

Other links:

• COVID-19 information page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page