Home News Ramaphosa’s Travel Ban: All the Facts and Figures

Ramaphosa’s Travel Ban: All the Facts and Figures

by Salaamedia

Mohammed Arai | 18 March 2020 | Featured Image: Zeenat Tilly 

The Salaamedia team attended last night’s media briefing on the travel ban announced by President Ramaphosa on Sunday night, held at the O.R. Tambo International Airport by the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, together with the management of the South African Civil Aviation Authority, the Airports Company South Africa, and Navigation Services. The Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, also attended the media briefing.


Minister Mbalula opened the briefing by listing names of the banned countries, which are: China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the UK and the USA. “Passengers found in an aircraft from those banned countries would be stopped and redirected to a place that has already been identified, and relevant authorities shall be notified,” said the Minister.

“Diplomats serving in South Africa from all countries are an exception to President’s travel ban, and they will be treated as if they are South African citizens,” the Minister confirmed.

The Minister said that the regulations to manage and enforce the travel ban will be gazetted on Wednesday morning, and be enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

“If South Africans leave the country after the travel ban has been enforced, they will not be allowed to return to South Africa for now,” warned Mbalula.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, confirmed that none of the South African airports would be affected, and they will continue as normal.

“Approximately 8 000 visas were issued to Chinese nationals, and 425 to Iranians between January and February 2020. All those visas have been revoked with immediate effect,” said Motsoaledi.

Motsoaledi added: “Travellers from medium-risk countries will have to start applying for visas, and they will have to provide a COVID-19 certificate clearing them of the virus.”

“If a foreign national wishes to extend his visa due to the fear that going back to his country may increase his chance of contracting the virus, his visa will be extended for a certain period,” said the Minister.

Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, said the following: “Airlines throughout the world are in huge difficulty. Many airlines may not be able to continue beyond May 2020.”

When the floor was opened for questions, Salaamedia’s Zeenat Tilly asked Minister Mbalula: “What preventative measures will be implemented for public transport, such as taxis and trains?”


The Minister answered: “There are no restrictions placed for domestic travel at the moment, but South Africans are encouraged to limit unnecessary travel. Furthermore, trains, buses and taxi ranks will be sanitised, and people are urged to not overcrowd these modes of public transport. Failure to adhere to these guidelines, certain measures will be put in place, including temporary closure of trains, buses, etc.”

Listen to Salaamedia’s Mohammed Arai who attended last night’s media briefing, speaking about the travel ban:

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