Level 1 upcoming: Cyril Ramaphosa ready to lift travel ban tonight

On Wednesday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa will inform the nation about the new development of moving the country into Level 1 of the national lockdown and reopening of international travel – with provisos.

Countries which have high risk of coronavirus infection like the United States and some of the major EU countries will still remain banned from travelling into the country.

However, controversially, countries like India and Brazil known to be the second and third highest infection rates in the world will be given permission to travel into the country.

Moreover, travellers arriving from permitted countries into South Africa will be requested to provide a negative test result taken within 72 hours before travel. This will give them the access into the country without being quarantined.

“Travellers who display symptoms will have to quarantine at own cost, even if they produce evidence of having tested negative 72 hours prior.”

Acting presidential spokesperson Tyrone Seale wasn’t able to immediately confirm this when contacted on Wednesday morning.

“We do normally make announcements before the President addresses the nation,” he said.

An NCC insider said while borders and other points of entry would reopen, government had decided that travellers from high risk countries will not be given permission to enter South Africa.

“These include the US, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy – which are key markets for the revival of the tourism sector. But arrivals from India and Brazil, each with 4.3-million and 5-million infections respectively, will be allowed.”

“India and Brazil do not present high numbers for us.”