Foreign nationals stuck in South Africa due to the global lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 will be sent home under strict conditions, South Africa’s Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, said.
He was speaking during a media briefing by the government’s inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“With regards to repatriations, the repatriation of foreign nationals from South Africa back to their respective countries is allowed, provided the following condition are adhered to; Foreign Countries must charter their aircraft to South Africa without passengers except for the crew,” said Minister Mbalula.
He added that the crew in the repatriation aircraft would not be allowed to disembark at the airport.
The minister added that South Africans wishing to return home were allowed to do so and they had to be in possession of a fully paid return air ticket and on arrival, would be subjected to mandatory quarantine of up to 21 days.
“The crew shall be allowed to disembark subject to mandatory quarantine laws a may be applicable,” he said.
Minister Mbalula added that medical evacuation flights carrying only the patient, medical personnel and crew and cargo planes were allowed to land at elected airports and the crew were to be subjected to mandatory quarantine regulations.
Aircraft needing to refuel would be allowed to do land too but the crew would not be allowed to disembark.
