Here’s what you need to know.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, not only was travel banned throughout many countries but South Africa was put on the red hot list for a long time.
The travel ban soon started to lift. This is where it started to become quite complicated for the process of travel involved. PCR tests, vaccination certificates, retesting on entry and then doing it all over again on the way back. Does my test time start from the time of results were sent, or when I did the actual test? Is it 24 hours? 48 hours or 72 hours? It’s been crazy!
Even though most countries have now lifted the law of COVID-19 testing on entry and re-entry. We are not out of the woods just yet.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Every country has their own rules.
- Every airline has its own rules.
- If a country doesn’t require a PCR on entry, it does not mean the country you are leaving from doesn’t require one.
- And then if the countries don’t need entry, it doesn’t mean they don’t need to exit.
- It’s important to check all guidelines so you are aware.
- The laboratory that you use for testing MUST be approved by the airline, by The Department of Health and switched by the NICD.
- Some countries, like the USA, require either a 24-hour lateral flow test AKA – an antigen test or a 48 hour PCR test.
- Some countries still require a PCR before you leave and when you land.
- Proof of Vaccination is required in most countries, and if these are up to date… you’re good to go.
- There are different apps that you use to store all this information.
- Such as Panebias, World Health Passport and IATA, different countries accept different apps.
Here is a quick checklist to make it easy for you to sort through.
- Airline check
- Country check on entry and exit
- PCR or antigen/ lateral flow
- Amount of time allowed for result 24 hours/ 48 hours
- Vaccination certificate
- App check (WHP, Panebias, IATA)
- Have all documents in a file sorted to make it easy at check-in and check-out
- Call your testing station to find out if they have all the approvals
With a checklist at hand, you can never go wrong.
For mobile testing or to visit any of our testing sites, visit www.testaro.co.za.
For more information on the coronavirus, visit sacoronavirus.co.za.
