South Africa

With Virgin Atlantic due to re-introduce flights from London to Cape Town from 5 November, South Africa has removed its final Covid-19 restrictions, marking "the return to life as we knew it before the pandemic", according to Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Tourism.

Currently British Airways flies daily direct to Cape Town with both airlines serving Johannesburg.  South African Airways has closed its London office and no longer flies direct.

The country's final Covid-19 restrictions were lifted last week. There are now no testing requirements to visit the country for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers, face masks are no longer required indoors or in public settings and there are no limits on gatherings.

"This will go a long way in boosting the tourism sector’s growth as travellers will be able to participate in more activities, including attending big events and gatherings that not only contribute to our country’s appeal but also to our economy", Sisulu added.

Kgomotso Ramothea, acting hub head UK and Ireland for South African Tourism, said visitor numbers to South Africa from the UK and Ireland have been steadily increasing since removal of the red list restrictions.  "The end of Covid-19 measures, coupled with increased capacity from Virgin Atlantic’s announcement of direct flights from London to Cape Town will give tourism the boost it needs to reach, or even exceed, the record numbers experienced in 2019", Ramothea added.

www.southafrica.net

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum