My international arrival experience in Johannesburg, South Africa at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in the COVID-19 era was painless.
International Arrival Experience At O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
South Africa requires a negative PCR test in order to enter, not older than 72 hours. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required (about 27% of South Africans are fully vaccinated while 32% have at least one dose).
I take my COVID-19 test prior to travel at the same urgent care facility near my home called Exer. Exer operates a chain of urgent care facilities across Los Angeles County. Even a month ago demand for testing was through the roof, however it is easy enough to schedule an appointment online on the day you want a test. A text message arrives when it is your turn and I then drive to the clinic, about 10 minutes away from my home. PCR test results always come within 24 hours.
With PCR test in hand, I had no trouble checking in for my flight to Johannesburg.
Onboard, flight attendants handed out health declaration forms that had to be filled out prior to arrival. We were told to hang onto these.
Upon arrival in JNB, I proceeded off the aircraft toward the immigration facilities. I was not comfortable taking many pictures, but all passengers were stopped in the mezzanine area before reaching passport control. There, health officials took temperatures, actually examined COVID-19 tests, and required each person to hand sanitize. They also collected the health declaration forms we filled out onboard.
That was it.
The passport control officer quickly stamped me in and there were no other checks as I proceeded through baggage claim and out to the street to wait for my Uber.
CONCLUSION
South African borders are open and the country is ready to welcome business and leisure travelers, regardless of your vaccination status. Expect to be stopped and have your negative COVID-19 PCR test examined, but other than that the immigration process was a breeze.
How much for the PCR test at the private clinic?
Covered by insurance.
Does health insurance cover covid testing simply for travel purposes? i.e., where you’re symptom free, with no known exposure? Do they ask for the purpose of the test at the test center?
No, I state that I am exposed which is true considering my wife is exposed nearly every day she goes to work.
A lawyer’s answer.
Welcome to SA..enjoy our amazing country. And thank you for the positive feedback regarding your experience
Thanks a lot Mathew, I am traveling to South Africa next week,; was not sure what to expect even though I am a South African /,, British citizen. Now I feel relaxed, will be taking a PCR test on Monday.
Safe travels!
How widespread is mask use in Johannesburg? Required indoors?
Almost universal. Required outdoors too…
People are legally required to wear a mask in all public spaces in South Africa. Compliance is generally high, especially in major cities like Johannesburg.
Thanks for visiting my country. It was nice reading your article
Curious of the testing process in JNB for return flight.
I used an Abbot at home test.
If your coming to the states you can get an antigen test for R350 at the airport in JNB and receive the results in 15 minutes. They close at 1800.
A few days ago I canceled a trip to VCE as Italy now requires outdoor masks. That’s the no-go zone for me. Cannot understand the point of that at all. One hoop too many.
It’s all theatre, but it’s not so burdensome as to make me cancel a trip.
True rules are rules
I appreciate these arrival reports! We went to Bangkok a few weeks ago and it was nice knowing exactly what the experience was going to be like based off of your report.
Well come to our beautiful country. Enjoy your stay.
Thanks Slyvia. I did and it is a beautiful country indeed.
Enjoy Mzansi it’s a beautiful country with lots of beautiful people.We also like all other countries have a fair share of the lousy ones.Have fun
I will admit that I am not au fait with sociopolitical developments in S. Africa, but I was surprised to see the signage being entirely in English- have they officially done away with Afrikaans?
It’s a little burdensome to have signage in all 11 languages, so most signage is in English particularly in tourist areas. Some signage will have an extra on or two languages beneath (sometimes Afrikaans)
Afrikaans is one of our 11 official languages. However, businesses have adopted english as a medium of instructions. Hence, english signage. This approach has promoted english in a way.
What do have against Afrikaans?
Along with Zulu it is the most widely spoken language across the country.
You will find that most signages are in English as almost all people understand it in urban areas. Some places have signs in English, Afrikaans, and the other Local languages, as Afrikaans and English are universally spoken in SA, While the other 9 Languages are regionally based. So no matter where you go someone might speak Afrikaans or English, but you won’t easily find a Venda speaking person in Cape Town.
I live in the USA now and visited my ‘home’ country South Africa last July and had the same experience arriving at Cape Town International Airport as you had at OT Airport, Matthew. Very organized and straight forward.
Flying back to the USA in August, armed with a fresh negative PCR test, I completed the same health declaration form at my point of exit being OT Airport and airline staff checked my PCR result prior to boarding and that was it. Not once was the result checked on arrival in the USA at Newark Airport. Perhaps the pre boarding check was sufficient?
Thank you for your article abut South Africa and the beautiful people on.this beautiful land welcome you with their open arms and big smiles!!!
Welcome Clint, lovely feedback of your experience, we’re not really complicated!
Enjoy your stay!
Any chance of slipping by the COVID police?
I wish I was your driver from the airport to your hotel maybe you were gonna give me some few dollars, welcome to South Africa and enjoy your stay.
Thanks for sharing your experience. There seems to be some confusion on the 72 hour window for tests with South Africa. Are you aware if the requirement is for your test to be completed within 72 hours of departure time or within 72 hours of scheduled arrival time? thanks for sharing.
Departure time.