International travel allowed for South Africans who work, study abroad
South Africans who work or study abroad will be allowed to travel internationally, the Department of Home Affairs has announced.
The announcement follows talks with the coronavirus command council and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
The country closed its borders and halted all international flights in March an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza says South Africans will now be permitted to leave the country for work, study, family reunions, to take up permanent residency, or to receive medical treatment.
To apply to travel, citizens who fall in the above categories need the following:
*A copy of their valid South African passport.
*A letter confirming their admissibility under the current circumstances from the embassy or other diplomatic/consular representative of the country they want to travel to. If returning by road or connecting via flights, the proof submitted needs to include permission from each transiting country.
*Proof of means of travel such as air or bus tickets and the intended date of departure.
The department will contact travelers who meet the criteria to enable them to proceed with their travel arrangements.
READ ALSO:
President Ramaphosa to address the nation tonight
South Africa's coronavirus cases have topped 20 000, with the death toll at 407. Ramaphosa's address follows recent meetings of the Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President's Coordinating Council, which considered the prospects for the country's move from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 of the national lockdown.