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I arrived at OR Tambo (JNB) in mid-April. I'd had a PCR test 48 hours before my flight from Canada.View attachment 405771
What is the health screening process on arrival in South Africa?
Upon arrival in the port of entry, the traveller will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Travellers will also need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country. Should the traveller display any COVID-19–related symptoms or been in contact with an infected person(s), they will be expected to take a mandatory COVID-19 test. This test will be at the traveller’s cost. If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the traveller will be subjected to a 10-day quarantine at a designated site. The accommodation at a quarantine site will be at the traveller’s cost.
What are the requirements for the 72 hour PCR test for COVID-19?
Travellers intending to visit the country will be expected to produce a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa, and be presented before travelling to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such a test.
Are home PCR tests allowed, which are sent to a testing laboratory?
No, PCR tests must be performed by a certified medical practitioner.
https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/covid-19/advice-for-travellers/
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There was no - repeat, no - 'health screening process" upon my arrival in south Africa. No one asked me about COVID, or anything related to it, no one asked me where I would be staying, or anything else. Not even the nice woman at Immigration who smiled, checked my passport, stamped it and sent me on my way.
I had filled out an online form that South Africa requires (and which Qatar asked about, but didn't care to see), but again, no one asked anything about that.
The relevant date for South Africa is the date you leave your home country, and so long as the test is no older than 72 hours from that date, it doesn't matter that the test is more than 72 hours old when you land in South Africa.I have a question and looking for an answer that could be 99.9% Correct.
I am leaving on Emirates on 6/27/2021 at 8:00PM arrive Dubai 14 hours later with a 14 hour layover. Then 8 hours to Jborg. If I get my PCR Cover 19 test on Friday 06/25/2021 by the time I get to Jborg I am well over the 72 hours. I realize you need a PCR Test within 72 hours of departure but do the officials in JoBorg mind if the 72 hours have expired when landed and going through customs?
PS. The chances of anyone stopping you as you "go through customs" are virtually nil in my experience. You just walk out through the Nothing to Declare line and away you go. Unlike North America, at least, you may not even realize you've just walked through customs - unless the x-ray of your baggage counts as Customs (but since the guy looking at the monitor seemed to be asleep, I'm not sure that it does).
There is a COVID testing station in the departures area of the JNB airport. They can do a variety of tests - antibodies, rapid, and PCR. You can have the test done there and they will have the results to you within 24 hours (usually less). if you don't feel like going back to whatever hotel you're staying at while you wait for the results, the hotel attached to the airport is very nice and in April and May, the rooms were pretty cheap.We will be leaving SA from Joberg on 30 Aug 2021. Hoping to find a test facility in Joberg that meets all requirements for our outbound flights. I will ask our outfitter but not really his problem as we are touring for 2 weeks after hunt ends. Trip still a couple months out, really hoping things do not change except Trudopes mandated jail hotels upon our return. Any details/info/specifics from those there and on the ground with real life facts would help.