Travel: Does the updated ‘red list’ list help the SA economy?

Published Oct 24, 2020

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CAPE TOWN -

With the busy summer holiday season quickly approaching, the Western Cape government says the revised list of high-risk countries who are allowed to travel to South Africa will kill key source markets for tourism.

The Department of Home Affairs released a revised ‘red list’ which has been cut from 60 to 20 countries.

However, Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, says they welcome the changes but believes the ‘red list’ should be scrapped.

ALSO SEE: REVISED LIST COUNTRIES BANNED FROM SA

“International markets are a key economic driver for the tourism sector in the Western Cape, and so the full re-opening of our borders to leisure travelers – with stringent health protocols in place – ahead of the summer season is absolutely critical to the sector’s immediate recovery,” said Maynier.

"All visitors should be allowed entry into South Africa subject to presenting a negative PCR test conducted at least 72 hours before departure, together with screening protocols.

“There is simply no greater risk for transmission of the Covid-19 virus based on the purpose of travel yet the negative impact of continuing to limit the entry of leisure travelers to South Africa, especially from our key source markets,” he said.

Maynier added that while the alternative to fully reopen the borders will prevent job losses during the pandemic, they are happy about the concession to allow regular visitors to stay for three months or more.

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