Coronavirus and travel to/from Namibia

[ActionBob]

Anxious to see if South Africa today closes its borders to flights from US.

Yup, looks like it's closed as of the 18th.

And here I was all set up on my fence post watching like a buzzard for some super great deals to come along

 

[ActionBob]

Yup, looks like it's closed as of the 18th.

And here I was all set up on my fence post watching like a buzzard for some super great deals to come along

and I had 6 days of business meetings cancelled between now and the end of the month..... so all this time available and no where to go.... Hmm, may be able to finally get caught up with all those "when I get around to it" things done

 

[BRICKBURN]

SOUTH AFRICA:
Source: Twitter account of South African Presidency

"President #Ramaphosa: Following an extensive analysis of the progression of the disease worldwide and in South Africa, Cabinet has decided on the following measures:

President #Ramaphosa: We are imposing a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and China as from 18 March 2020.

President #Ramaphosa: Visa issuing to visitors from these countries is cancelled from today and previously granted visas are hereby revoked.

President #Ramaphosa: Effective immediately, South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South Korea.


President #Ramaphosa: Any person who has visited high-risk countries in the past 20 days will be denied a visa. South African citizens returning from high-risk countries will be subjected to testing and self-isolation or quarantine on return to South Africa.

President #Ramaphosa: Effective immediately, all non-essential travel for all spheres of government outside of the Republic is prohibited. We further discourage all non-essential domestic travel, particularly by air, rail, taxis and bus."

@Jeff75 thanks for posting. I was off grocery shopping.

 

[BRICKBURN]

THIS IS THE THREAD THAT WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY.
Please use it.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/covid-19-corona-virus-updates-bans-closures-etc.55084/

 

[ZANA BOTES SAFARI]

I am trying to find further confirmation of this FLIGHT BAN.

WINDHOEK — Namibia is the latest in a growing list of sub-Saharan African countries to report their first cases of coronavirus.

A couple from Spain who arrived in the Southern African country on Wednesday both tested positive and have been quarantined, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula said on Saturday.

Namibia, Kingdom of eSwatini, Ethiopia and Rwanda have all reported their first coronavirus cases over the last 48 hours amid mounting fears the pandemic could overwhelm the world’s poorest continent.

Namibian president Hage Geingob told a press conference on Saturday that the government would implement several measures to try and contain the outbreak, including banning all mass gatherings for 30 days and clamping down on travel to three countries.

“The Namibian government is suspending inbound and outbound travel to and from Qatar, Ethiopia and Germany with immediate effect for a period of 30 days,” Geingob said.

Independence Celebrations scheduled for March 21 have been canceled, he added, though a swearing-in ceremony for his second and final term will go ahead.

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/namibia-reports-first-two-cases-of-coronavirus-imposes-travel-ban?utm_campaign=magnet&utm_source=article_page&utm_medium=related_articles

What Brickburn said here is true. Namibia basically went into lock down. All schools, gatherings and everything have been suspended or closed until the 18th of April. Flights from South Africa are still open at this stage. I would suggest trying to see if a person could re-route VIA one the flights from SA. (At this stage it just a suggestion not sure if would work but should be the best way to to stay on track)
We are still waiting for more info from all agencies which we should be receiving from tomorrow morning. But Most if this is just precautionary and a aggressive way of the GRN to prevent. While out hunting and being in "bush-isolation" is the safest place at to be.

 

[BRICKBURN]

RSA has BANNED non-citizens coming from Effected Countries.
USA, and UK citizens (or people who have visited those countries) won't be coming through RSA anytime soon.

Note direction to COVID Thread above.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/covid-19-corona-virus-updates-bans-closures-etc.55084/
The updated information in this very fluid environment can be updated in that thread.
Everyone, please contribute any useful information.

 

[ActionBob]

While out hunting and being in "bush-isolation" is the safest place at to be.

Fully agree! And would love to do just that. However it is looking very problematic to get there, and back.

 

[Scott CWO]

Dang, this is really crappy for you guys. Sorry this has happened to you.

 

[spike.t]

Been trying to work out if the ban is just for people whose destination is sa...but what if they are in transit to another country?.... Presume it's a total ban for all...but as I said wondering

 

[BRICKBURN]

Been trying to work out if the ban is just for people whose destination is sa...but what if they are in transit to another country?.... Presume it's a total ban for all...but as I said wondering

Cyril was banning anyone who had VISITED an effected country.
Definition of "VISITED" includes just going through an airport. (Where I live)

Wish there was still a direct flight for you into Zambia.

 

[Graham Hunter]

So what happens if you are already in SA and have to get home? Anyone know someone down there right now?

 

[BRICKBURN]

@Graham Hunter

Leaving RSA will not be the issue, from the angle that you no longer have a VISA to stay in RSA anyway.

Another intermediary country might not allow you to enter either. You might be stuck.

Since there are direct flights to the USA, US citizens should be fine if they are on those flights.


There is a conundrum that I had not considered, because we are very early in the safari season:
Citizens from the Banned list of countries trying to leave Namibia to get into RSA to make it home.
They could be stuck.

 

[Graham Hunter]

The other problem is the airlines that have shut down Air Canada and Delta Lufthansa

@Graham Hunter

Leaving RSA will not be the issue, from the angle that you no longer have a VISA to stay in RSA anyway.

Another intermediary country might not allow you to enter either. You might be stuck.

Since there are direct flights to the USA, US citizens should be fine if they are on those flights.


There is a conundrum that I had not considered, because we are very early in the safari season:
Citizens from the Banned list of countries trying to leave Namibia to get into RSA to make it home.
They could be stuck.

 

[spike.t]

With the people not allowed into sa from those countries.... Not much reason for the airlines to continue flying those routes.... Most big airlines are cutting at least 75pcnt of their routes some more..... So another thing to consider....

 

[BRICKBURN]

Time to sit back and wait and watch.
I hope there are no hunters stuck away from home.

 

[Graham Hunter]

SCI just sent out a notice there are 27 hunters stuck in Argentina till April 10th.

 

[Wheels]

SCI just sent out a notice there are 27 hunters stuck in Argentina till April 10th.

@ 40 boxes of shells per day that becomes a sore shoulder and an expensive hunt.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Time to sit back and wait and watch.
I hope there are no hunters stuck away from home.

Hey Bricky want to book a gopher hunt in SK in May with me. Shouldn't be a problem unless they shut the highways down!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Hey Bricky want to book a gopher hunt in SK in May with me. Shouldn't be a problem unless they shut the highways down!

There you go.
High Volume Prairie Hunting

 

[Graham Hunter]

You're welcome.