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South Africa and International Organizations in United Kingdom URGENT NOTICE: REPATRIATION INFORMATIONThe South African High Commission in London would like to inform the South African Citizens stranded in the United Kingdom about the process of repatriation to South Africa.Stranded South African Citizens are encouraged to forward their details (full name, ID and passport number). Please do not send pictures or attachments.The information should be sent directly to: mabenap@dirco.gov.za and masekos@dirco.gov.zaThe details will then be sent to authorities in South Africa for verification and approval.Following the confirmation of South African citizenship, the passenger will be granted permission to travel and also encouraged to voluntarily make the necessary travel arrangements. It is incumbent upon the traveller to ensure that all the details on the documents, provided by the High Commission, are correct.Prior to travel, Individuals must sign consent to enter into mandatory 14-day quarantine at a South African Government designated facility.The permission to travel does not guarantee a seat on the flight.UPDATES: 15 WHITEHALL: CIVIC AND IMMIGRATION SERVICESThe South African High Commission to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland remains closed in compliance with the domestic measures to combat the spread of Covid-19. In South Africa, the country remains in lockdown at Level 3, which means that in terms of services from the Department of Home Affairs such as processing of renewal of passports and issuance of Identity documents are still suspended.Applications for passports, births registration, Identity Documents, Citizenship, Amendments as well as re-issue of birth, marriage and death certificates received abroad are currently not been processed due to lockdown.The Department of Home Affairs in 15 Whitehall is still closed until further notice. Progress reports on applications cannot be provided at this stage.South African Visa facilities abroad remain closed. No visa applications are received and processed until High Commission and VFS re-opens.An announcement of the date of re-opening will be posted to the High Commission website once such a decision has been made.Youthday16 June 2020This YouthDay, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on young people to generate solutions for reviving our economy. For Lebogang Ditsebe, stimulating manufacturing in townships, is key to our country s economic turnaround.TO READ MORE, PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINKEmergency contact numbers for Officials at the High Commission:Telephonic:For media related enquiries: High Commissioner - 07872506706For immigration related enquiries: Department of Home Affairs -07770790584For Consular related enquiries: 07595272083Email addresses:tambon@dirco.gov.za mcubej@dirco.gov.za gunniet@dirco.gov.za mhlanas@dirco.gov.zaFor more information on the South African Government's measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus please visit:https://sacoronavirus.co.zaNote: In line with the measures implemented by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the High Commission is closed until further notice. However, officials from the High Commission are working from home. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on citizens abroad, the High Commission is experiencing an extremely high volume of telephonic and email enquiries. Therefore, delayed responses should be expected.Speech given by President CyrilRamaphosaon 15 June 2020Dear fellow South African,The words of Frantz Fanon that each generation must discover its mission come to mind every time I have an opportunity to speak with young South Africans.No matter where they live and no matter what they do, they each have a burning desire to change the world.While they certainly want to improve their own lives, they also want to achieve a better society and a better world. They see themselves as agents for fundamental transformation.Throughout history young people have been a driving force for change. In just the last few decades, young people have waged numerous struggles against injustice, from the1968 student uprising in Paris, to the anti-war movement in the United States in the 1960s, to the anti-colonial struggle in many African and Asian countries, to the fight against apartheid, to the Arab Spring.Most recently, young people have been at the forefront of the #BlackLivesMatter movement that has gained global support in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in the United States.Over the past week, activists around the world have also been demanding the removal of symbols that glorify the barbarity and violence of the slave trade and colonialism.At an Oxford University demonstration last week a protestor carried a placard with the words Rhodes must Fall , the rallying cry of students in our own country five years ago.Young people across the world have found common cause. They are tearing down of statues and symbols of racism, demanding the decolonisation of educational curricula, and calling for institutions to address racism and social exclusion.And so, as we pay tribute to the generation of 1976 on this Youth Day, we also salute the youth of post-apartheid South Africa, the worthy inheritors of this noble legacy.The mission of 1976 generation was to dismantle bantu education; that of today s youth is to take forward the project of national reconciliation and transformation.In time to come it will be said that this year, 2020, marked the start of a new epoch in human history.Not only has coronavirus had a momentous impact on people s lives and livelihoods, it has also shaken up the global social order.The manner in which the pandemic has taken hold has been a reminder of the interconnectedness of the human race and of the deep inequalities that exist between countries and within countries.The pandemic presents an opportunity to reset a world that is characterised by crass materialism, selfishness and self-absorption not just on the part of individuals but whole societies.Young people are telling us that the essential values of integrity, compassion and solidarity must be the hallmarks of the new society that will emerge, and that they are determined to be the champions of this new, better world.In the discussions I have had with young people during this Youth Month, I have said that we should never underestimate the power of an idea, because ideas can and have changed the world. Ideas have spurred human progress and they are what will enable us to chart a new path in the post-coronavirus era.These young people have turned their ideas into action. They have not let a lack of resources hinder them. They have carved a niche for themselves in a number of sectors from high-tech to environmental sustainability.They are determined to succeed on their own merits, to not depend on handouts, and once they have made it to help their peers.Through programmes like the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, the National Youth Service and many more we want to support this country s young people to see their ideas through from incubation to opening the doors of their businesses.Youth unemployment is the greatest challenge we face and the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated an already dire situation.Now more than ever we will look to the innovative and pioneering spirit of our youth to come up with solutions to the unemployment crisis that benefit them, their communities and society.At the same time, I challenge our country s youth to craft and design programmes that will enable us to meet our developmental goals.In 1961, revolutionary Cuba sent legions of young student volunteers into the mountains and villages to construct schools, teach literacy and train new educators. It is still held up as one of the most successful literacy campaigns in modern history.Our young people must develop social upliftment initiatives and they must lead them.Just as they took up the struggle for equality in higher education, the considerable energies of our youth must also be brought to bear to fight for equitable access to health care, for the transformation of land ownership and, most importantly, for gender justice.Like all South Africans, I have been deeply disturbed by a surge over the last few days in the murder of young women at the hands of men. These are shocking acts of inhumanity that have no place in our society.Youth-led civic activism, awareness raising and peer counselling are vital tools in our efforts to eradicate gender-based violence from society. At the same time, we must strengthen our justice system, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book, bail and parole conditions are tightened and that those sentenced to life spend the rest of their lives behind bars.While this needs society-wide action, I call on young men in particular to take up the struggle against gender-based violence. Unless we end the war that is being waged against South African women, the dream of a new society will remain elusive.Those of us who were part of student movements during the apartheid era are often asked what we think of the young people of today. There is a temptation to retreat into nostalgia about the glory days of student politics and youth struggle, never to be replicated.But just as the youth of yesteryear defined their mission, today s youth have defined theirs.South African youth of 2020 more than meet the high standard set by their predecessors. They are optimistic, resilient and courageous, often in the face of the harshest of circumstances. They are a source of inspiration and hope. Through their actions, they are building a world that is more just, equal, sustainable and at peace.I wish all the young people of South Africa a meaningful and inspiring Youth Day.With best wishes,MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, DR NALEDI PANDOR:Speaking Notes by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, on Repatriations of South Africans stranded abroad, 21 May 2020Following the declaration of the State of Disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which saw South Africa implementing the national lockdown on 26 March 2020, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has facilitated the repatriation of 5 239 South Africans stranded abroad (by air).Hundreds more have also returned through our land borders.This means that more South Africans have now been repatriated than the initial 3637 who had requested repatriation.We implemented this process to assist our nationals who were in distress, they included, those stranded at airports, students who were asked to evacuate their places of residence as many countries were implementing their lockdowns, the elderly and those who needed medical attention.All those seeking help are persons who are ordinarily resident in South Africa.With time, we began to receive requests from other categories of South Africans who either lost their jobs due to companies and schools being affected by the lockdowns and/or simply ran out of money to continue to sustain themselves abroad.The process of repatriation is not easy, given the various restrictions implemented by countries across the world. The process involved a lot of negotiations with multiple stakeholders, which explains why we couldn t repatriate some as speedily as we wished.To properly coordinate this process, my department established a Command Centre, which operates 24 hours a day to help those who were unable to reach our missions abroad.The repatriation of South Africans is a humanitarian mission that is coordinated by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) with the guidance of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), chaired by the President.South Africans abroad requiring repatriation have been encouraged to contact our embassies to enable the Department to assess the demand in each country.Allow me to take this opportunity to thank officials at all our embassies, led by our esteemed ambassadors and High Commissioners, our team here at Head Office, led by the Director-General, for the excellent work they have been doing, spending sleepless nights negotiating for the movement of South Africans, securing permits and flight clearances that brought South Africans back home.The pandemic has disrupted nations, corporations and our daily lives. The repatriation was carried through collaboration across several departments and were fortunate to have the trust of our citizens that we would assist. Several countries supported the repatriation efforts, as did interested organisations.We thank each and every one.On behalf of our government and people, I wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all governments and people of the world who have helped our citizens during their time of need, whilst abroad. These repatriations would not have been possible without the excellent cooperation we got from the international community.In the coming days and weeks, we are going to continue bringing our nationals home. This will include from the United States of America, Russia, Vietnam, India, Qatar, the United Kingdom, etc.We have a weekly newsletter that has a detailed breakdown of the number of arrivals per country and region. It is available on our website.The Department is aware of many other South Africans who remain stranded abroad and continues to appeal for their patience as we explore and negotiate ways of bringing them back home.It is also important to note that whilst the government is facilitating the return of our nationals, should they wish to return abroad after the lockdown is lifted, the government will bear no cost thereof.Thank you.ADVISORYThe South African High Commission to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has received a number of enquiries relating to South Africans who want to depart South Africa for the United Kingdom, and other countries.Kindly note that South Africans who are permitted to depart aboard the repatriation flights are: South Africans married to a foreigner; South Africans who has dual citizenship; and South Africans who is a Permanent Resident in a Foreign countryIt should be noted that: It remains the responsibility of the South Africans falling within the aforementioned categories to make their own travel arrangements; They can depart without any permission letter from the SA authorities; They must be able to prove the aforementioned status upon departure from SA; and DIRCO And by implication the High Commission does not issue any permission letter, as the departure of South Africans and foreign nationals is an immigration matter.Kindly note that:The South African High Commission to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is supporting the repatriation of South African nationals stranded in the United Kingdom to South Africa.MEDIA STATEMENTSouth African Airways Reassures Customers that Repatriation and Cargo Flights will Continue in May 2020Johannesburg, 8 May 2020 - South African Airways (SAA) would like to reassure its customers and stakeholders that it will continue to operate repatriation and cargo flights during the month of May and beyond.SAA has no plans to cease its operations on the 8th of May. The airline will honour all existing commitments to provide air transportation services to its customers and any other requests that it receives.There are several requests for repatriation flights to operate to North, West and East Africa, the UK, the Middle East, South and North America, and the Far East during the course of this month that are being considered by the airline. We are in ongoing discussions with the Departments of Public Enterprises (DPE) and that of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), regarding other destinations where South African citizens may be stranded. Further, we are responding proactively in those instances where there is a need for essential humanitarian cargo for our country and for the neighbouring states to be uplifted, says Thandeka Mgoduso, Interim SAA Executive Chairperson.The airline continues to receive and operationalize requests from various foreign governments, who still have their citizens stranded in South Africa.Since the 3rd of April, SAA has transported more than 9 100 passengers to six continents and more than 870 tons of freight, both export and import consignments, which included essential humanitarian cargo. As long as such requests are received, SAA will endeavour to fulfil them.IMPORTANT INFORMATION*South African Government hasn t pulled the plug on Qatar to repatriate South Africans*The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has noted with disappointment a press statement alleging that the South African Government has pulled the plug on Qatar Airlines to repatriate South Africans.The Department wishes to state that it has NOT cancelled any arrangement with Qatar Airlines.Instead, the Department is continuing discussions with the Airline to repatriate South Africans in line with the rules and regulations stipulated by Government.The repatriation of South Africans is a humanitarian mission that has been coordinated by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) with the guidance of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), chaired by the President.All the repatriation efforts are coordinated with the NATJOINTS, to make sure these efforts are compliant with the lockdown regulations.South Africans abroad requiring repatriation have been encouraged to contact South African embassies to enable the Department to assess the demand in each country.The information is then used to arrange the repatriation effort and to coordinate with NATJOINTS to ensure logistical arrangements with Health, Home Affairs, Police, Public Works and other relevant departments, including Public Enterprises where SAA is providing the airlift.Because of the continued demand for South Africans to be repatriated, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has submitted a request to the National Coronavirus Command Council following approval by the NATJOINTS.When the process has been finalised and all the arrangements have been made, Dirco will continue with the repatriation of South Africans.We are pleased that close to 3400 of the initial 3637, South Africans who initially indicated through our missions that they want to be repatriated have been brought back home. This number excludes hundreds that have come back through our land borders.The Department reiterates its commitment to assist all stranded South African abroad to come back home*For more information please contact: Mr Clayson Monyela on 0828845974.Speech given by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 4 May 2020Dear fellow South African,The entire world is in the unrelenting grip of the coronavirus pandemic, whose spread has been rapid. A vaccine has yet to be found. Across the world, over 3.4 million people are known to be infected and more than 240,000 have died. These are indeed desperate times.When the national state of disaster was declared six weeks ago, South Africa only had 61 confirmed coronavirus infections. Despite the relatively low number, expert opinion and international experience indicated that infections would rise exponentially. I said that urgent and drastic measures would need to be taken.Those measures which included a nation-wide lockdown and the closure of our borders have proved to be effective in delaying the spread of the disease.This has been possible because most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown provisions, practising social distancing and wearing face masks. I applaud you for this and for all the other sacrifices you have made.At this stage in the progress of the pandemic, other countries had far more infections than we do. As of now which is 46 days since we recorded our 100th coronavirus case we have 6,783 confirmed cases. Italy, which has a similar size population to ours, had more than 140,000 cases and the United States had around 700,000 confirmed cases at the 46-day mark. But this does not mean that the danger has passed. We have not nearly reached the peak of infections in South Africa. All the scientific models show that the infection rate will continue to rise at a much faster rate in the next few monthsHowever, the speed with which the virus spreads and the number of people who are ultimately infected will be determined by what we do now. That is why the easing of the lockdown needs to be gradual and cautious. It is for this reason that many regulations need to remain in place and why it is absolutely essential that people observe them. I know how difficult this is and I understand the concern that many of our compatriots have about how these regulations are interfering and limiting their rights. But all this is necessary. Our overriding objective is the preservation of life.Social distancing and proper hygiene are still our best and only defences in this struggle. This is what informs the regulations we have put in place for level 4 of our response. Our considerations are based on empirical evidence, scientific and economic data and international best practice.In the 1995 judgment of the Constitutional Court that outlawed capital punishment, Justice Arthur Chaskalson wrote: The rights to life and dignity are the most important of all human rights and the source of all other personal rights. By committing ourselves to a society founded on the recognition of human rights we are required to value these two rights above all others. The regulations we have put in place are founded on that commitment to life and dignity, and which justify in these extreme circumstances temporary restrictions on other rights, like freedom of movement and association. In doing this, South Africa is not unlike many other countries.An estimated one-fifth of the world s population is under quarantine or nationwide lockdown, with this number growing rapidly in response to rising infections. This includes countries with substantially larger populations than ours, like India with its 1.5 billion people.Dozens of countries have imposed curfews such as the one that is now in place here. Limitations on movement are in place in a number of countries. In the UK and the French capital, Paris, public exercise is limited to certain hours and within a certain distance of one s home.Containment and prevention measures similar to ours are in place in a number of countries. For example, alcohol sales during lockdown have been either restricted or banned in a number of territories and by local governments, including parts of Mexico, Hong Kong and Greenland, which last month imposed a ban on alcohol sales during lockdown to limit infection but also to curb violence against women and children. There has been much public comment on government s decision to extend the prohibition on the sale of tobacco products into level 4. A decision like this is bound to be controversial, but it is wrong to suggest that there are Ministers or a President doing and saying whatever they want on this matter.On 23 April, I announced that cigarette sales would be permitted during level 4. This was based on the view of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), and which was contained in the draft framework that was published for consulation. After careful consideration and discussion, the NCCC reconsidered its position on tobacco. As a result, the regulations ratified by Cabinet and announced by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on 29 April extended the prohibition. This was a collective decision and the public statements by both myself and the Minister were done on behalf of, and mandated by, the collective I lead.Every regulation we have put in place has been carefully considered. Along the way there has been consultation with medical experts, various constituencies and different industries. We have been guided by international bodies and the experience of other countries. The reality is that we are sailing in uncharted waters. There is still a great deal about the epidemiology of the virus that is unknown. It is better to err on the side of caution than to pay the devastating price of a lapse in judgment in future.While there are differing views on some of the decisions we have taken and in some instances these have polarised opinion government is making every effort to act in a way that advances the rights to life and dignity of all our people. Listening to our people and their concerns during this period has been one of the distinguishing features of how we as government have managed this pandemic. We continue to listen to the concerns of our people and are prepared to make adjustments that balance people s concerns about the challenges they face with the need to save lives.At this difficult time, our collective energies must be focused on ensuring that health and life is preserved, that the delivery of food, water, health care, social security and social support is not disrupted.Under these extraordinary circumstances, as government, as individuals and as society we will at times make mistakes. When these occur, we will correct them. But we must carry on, losing neither our nerve nor our resolve. The situation in which we find ourselves demands courage and patience. It requires goodwill and trust between you, the citizen, and your government, and between each other.Over the past five weeks, most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown regulations and, as a result, we have slowed the spread of the virus.It is my plea that we continue in this way and that we remain united in confronting this grave threat to the life and dignity of our people.With best wishes.IMPORTANT INFORMATIONCommercial Travel Charter AlertAbsolute Aviation - A private charter company - is hoping to do a flight between 7-14 May, depending on the numbers of passengers interested. Flying into and out of Stansted Airport. Anyone interested in this flight should contact the company on operations@absoluteaviation.co.za , for further details.Should you choose this option, please inform us in writing, at the High Commission so that your details can be removed from our list, giving an opportunity for other South Africans to take up seats, should a government confirmed flight be available in future.UPDATE ON OPERATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS SERVICES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELANDThe Department of Home Affairs in South Africa is providing limited services during lockdown, namely:1. Issuing of Temporary Identity Certificates;2. Issuing of Death Certificates; and3. Re-issuing of Birth Certificates.The limited services were announced on 25 March 2020, at the Media Briefing of the JCPS (Justice, Crime Prevention and Security) Cluster briefing ahead of the lockdown in South Africa.Applications for passports, births registration, Identity Documents, Citizenship, Amendments as well as re-issue of birth, marriage and death certificates received abroad are currently not been processed due to lockdown.The Department of Home Affairs in 15 Whitehall remain closed until further notice. No new documents (Passports, Birth certificates, ID etc.) have been received from South Africa since mid-March 2020. New applications (including postal) will be allowed once the office re-opens.Please monitor the website of the High Commission for the re-opening date. The re-opening will be consistent with the instructions issued by the government of the United Kingdom on a return to phased or normal operations.South African Visa facilities abroad remain closed. No visa applications are received and processed until High Commission and VFS re-opens. Please monitor the VFS website for information. The South African travel ban remains until further notice.Important InformationThe flight mentioned below - departing from Frankfurt to South Africa - is now full and therefore, closed. No further enquiries pertaining to this flight will be dealt with. Should there be knowledge of future flights, such information will be posted to all of the High Commission s social media platforms.Important InformationThe list for expressions of interest in the South African Airways flight out of Frankfurt on 18 April 2020 is full and therefore, now closed. The High Commission will continue to support announcements of flights from the UK or Europe into South Africa. Please continue to monitor updates on SAA and South African High Commission website for updates. ThanksSouth African Citizens currently stranded in the United Kingdom, please note that South Africa Airways (SAA) has announced the following flight. The details are as follows:SA2261Departing: 18 APRIL 2020TIME: 18H25 local time and arriving Jo burg at 0505 local time.THE PAYMENT DETAILS ARE:Cost per passenger: ZAR 11,994 (converted to 612 EUR) payable in cash prior to departure. No credit cards are allowed.Please arrange transfer only to following account:COMMERZBANK FRANKFURTIBAN: DE34 5004 0000 0683 1200 00BIC: COBADEFFXXXSUBJECT: Repatriation Flight SAA 18th April plus passenger nameIMPORTANT INFORMATIONThose who would want to take advantage of this opportunity, please email the following information:Name (as per passport):Date of Birth: dd/mm/yearPassport number:This information should be sent to:Cicc1@dirco.gov.za;Cicc2@dirco.gov.zaandConsular@dirco.gov.zaThe deadline for submission is: 14h00 (UK time)Please note that all individuals wishing to taking advantage of this opportunity will have to secure flights from the United Kingdom to Frankfurt, Germany. Confirmed flight details from the UK to Frankfurt, Germany should be provided together with the email containing the details cited above.ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION (DIRCO) OF A REPATRIATION FLIGHT DEPARTING HEATHROW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, UNITED KINGDOM, TO CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SOUTH AFRICAClear directives and Government Gazettes for South African Citizens (SACs) returning from abroad have been issued by the Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional, Transport, Home Affairs and Health. SACs must adhere to these directives in order to return to South Africa.Working together with South African Airways a repatriation flight from London has been approved.SA4239 to South Africa is scheduled to depart from:Heathrow, London on 12 April 2020 at 07:00 am to Cape Town.A list of passengers who will board the South African Airways flight has been approved the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco). South African Citizens who have been approved will be receiving emails confirming that they may board the flight. It is imperative that those who are confirmed to board this flight arrive at least 4 hours in advance.The South African Government, DIRCO and the High Commission will not send official correspondence via platforms such as WhatsApp. Therefore, it is imperative that South African Citizens verify any information they receive by checking the website of DIRCO; the website and Facebook page of the South African High Commission in London in order to ensure that they confirm their status as a passenger aboard this flight. High Commission officials are receiving a very high volume of calls and emails, but all calls and emails are being individually responded to. DIRCO is also responding to all enquiries.Costs and applications for financial assistanceSouth Africans will have to pay to for their repatriation. The cost for the flight ticket is R13 606.00 (single).Passengers holding SAA ticket holders will not have to pay for the flight. However, it is expected that passengers with existing SAA TICKETS must get an e-ticket in advance.Other passengers will have to pay by EFT for the cost of the ticket and, produce proof thereof at the time of check-in.Cash payments at the airport is also confirmed as acceptable. Credit card payments cannot and will not be accepted. Additional payment details - bank account numbers etc - will be shared as soon as possible.South Africa Citizens that are unable to pay the costs of the repatriation flight must complete a form - Annex 18A-that will be made available at the airport by High Commission officials. The completion of the form is an application for financial assistance and is an undertaking on the part of the applicant that the amount of R13 606.00 will be repaid to the Government of the Republic of South Africa.Boarding proceduresAll passengers on the list approved by Dirco have already been pre-cleared.These will be the only passengers allowed to board.The only exception will be those passengers who display symptoms similar to COVID-19 at the time of boarding. These passengers will not be allowed to board the flight.Passengers must report at the check-in counter at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure. Passengers will be allowed the maximum of 1 X 20 kg check in luggage and 1 X 7 kg hand luggage per person.(There are severe restrictions in place on arrival).Procedures on arrival in South AfricaAll passengers will be subjected to mandatory quarantine of 14 days upon arrival in Cape Town at a quarantine site selected by the Department of Health. Passengers will not be allowed to self-quarantine.DocumentationAll necessary and mandatory documentation will be made available to the approved passengers at the airport. Completion of these documents prior to departure is mandatory and unless all documentation is completed and signed, passengers will not be allowed to board.03 April 2020Dirco welcomes the first group of repatriated South AfricansThe Department of International Relations and Cooperation is pleased to announce that 16 South Africans who were stranded in Dubai and Doha, respectively, have been successfully repatriated back to South Africa.They arrived yesterday, 02 April 2020, following the announcement by the President of the relaxation of the restrictions to allow South Africans stranded abroad to travel back home.The group is currently under quarantine as per the regulations. Another group of about 16 citizens stranded in Germany is expected to return from Frankfurt over the weekend.With more countries requesting to repatriate their citizens from South Africa, the Department will be using the opportunity to bring back more South Africans using the chartered flights.To date, our Missions and the Command Centre in Pretoria have registered a total of 2 313 South Africans stranded abroad due to the outbreak of the COVID 19 virus, which led to many countries closing their borders. Of these, 726 are students, 600 people are workers, 492 are tourists, and 495 haven t disclosed.In line with Minister Pandor s instructions, the Department is prioritizing those who are stuck at the airports, the students who have been asked to vacate their residences, the elderly and the sick.The Department wishes to assure all the South African Citizens stranded abroad that it empathises with their plight and is doing whatever it can to assist them to be safe, as comfortable as possible and to travel back to South Africa.Enquiries, Mr Clayson Monyela Spokesperson for Dirco on 0828845974ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATIONMinister Fikile Mbalula updates on Aviation and Maritime during Coronavirus Covid-19 lockdown31 Mar 2020AviationSince the announcement of the lockdown by the President and my accompanying regulations and directions as the Minister of Transport, the majority of aviation activities slowed down dramatically, with all domestic airlines grounding their passenger flights effective from midnight 26 March 2020.Aviation related queries thereafter, were dominated by the following:Foreign nationals South African citizens requesting repatriation and evacuationTechnical flightsForeign crew disembarkation and quarantiningA definition of essential cargo and servicesAs far as International and Domestic passenger flight as well as Evacuation, Repatriation and Technical flights are concerned the transport directives are as follows:All international and domestic passenger flights are still prohibited, irrespective of the risk category of the country of origin, except those flights especially authorised by the Ministery of Transport, for the evacuation of South African Nationals in foreign countries.With regard to the repatriations;The repatriation of foreign nationals from South Africa back to their respective countries is allowed, provided the following conditions are adhered to:Foreign Countries must charter their aircraft to South Africa without passengers except with the crew.The crew is not be allowed to disembark.Evacuations are as follows:The evacuation of South African citizens who desire to come back home is allowed provided:He or she has a fully paid return flight ticketOn arrival they will be subjected to mandatory quarantine for a period of up to 21 daysThe crew shall be allowed to disembark subject to mandatory quarantine laws as may be applicable.The following technical flights are allowed:Medical evacuation flightsAircraft in a state of emergencyOverflightsTechnical landings for refuellingAircraft operations related to humanitarian aid, relief flights and other safety related operationsMedical evacuation flights should not carry passengers except, patients and crew that will upon landing shall be subjected to mandatory quarantine laws as may be applicable.Technical landing flights are allowed on condition that no passenger may disembark.The following Airports should have standby operational staff who will receive aircraft that are in distress:Port ElizabethBram Fischer located in BloemfonteinUpingtonPolokwaneKruger MpumalangaAir transportation of all cargo essessntial and nonessential is permitted.Disembarkation of Flight Cargo Crew is permitted on condition that it will be subjected Quarantine laws applicable in South Africa.Enquiries:Ayanda Allie PaineCell: 072 566 08Speaking Notes for the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, DrNalediPandor, at the Press Briefing on South Africa s Response toCOVID-19 pandemic 31 March 2020South Africans stranded AbroadThe COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and is giving rise to problems and challenges that governments across the world are struggling to deal with. Over the last two months the world has changed dramatically and this impacts on governance challenges. As DIRCO we have to focus on many fronts. The most important one is ensuring that we play our part in curtailing the spread of the virus in our population, so as to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. International travel restrictions as part of a social distancing strategies have been implemented by many countries in the world. These travel restrictions are accompanied by national strategies that limits movements of people through lock-downs to prevent transmission of COVID-19.This has resulted in many travellers across the world finding themselves stranded in foreign countries, including many South Africans. We empathise with their plight and are doing whatever is within our means to assist them to be safe, as comfortable as possible and to travel back to South Africa.Our missions abroad, have been collating data of South Africans stranded at airports and cities across the world as countries implement measures aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemicThe most recent data on that we have suggests that we may have 1 471 South Africans stranded across the world. Of this number, 723 are students, 204 people who are workers, 224 tourists, 320 who haven t disclosed. I cannot say that these numbers are 100 percent accurate as it is based on people who have approached us for assistance through our missions and consular services. There may be more people in need of assistance that we do not know about yet.In order to make it easier for people, unable to make contact with the Missions abroad to contact us, my department has established a 24-hour Command Centre. The Command Centre contact details are as follows;+27 12 351 1754;+27 12 351 1756, e-mails areCicc1@dirco.gov.zaandCicc2@dirco.gov.za.In terms of the assistance Dirco is providing to stranded South Africans, I have directed that priority be given to those who are stranded at the airports, running out of accommodation, the elderly and the sick.Our Missions where possible will continue to render consular services, including negotiating with the governments where there are lockdowns in order to facilitate the movement of stranded South Africans.Given the difficulties associated with travel restrictions we appeal to those who can afford to return to do so at their own cost. Some have started organizing themselves into groups and have approached the Department to ensure their safe passage home. Others are students whose accommodation in crowded dormitories forced them to come home.Some South Africans have explored options such as arranging private charter flights to SA. This can be done in cooperation with their travel insurance companies, their sponsors or in groups with other citizens in the same country. In such cases, we have requested our Missions to assist with obtaining flight clearances for chartered flights in the host countries and to get permission to depart on such chartered flight.Some of our citizens have indicated that they are able to bring themselves home. My department will facilitate with logistics and consular services to enable them travel back safely.For those who cannot depart, my department will be liaising with families and friends in SA to contribute to the payment for accommodation. Such funds can be transferred by Western Union or MoneyGram, commercial banks or via international EFT directly to the account of the institutions.For the rest of the South Africans who might not be stranded or distressed, we have advised that they remain where they are to reduce movement until the end of the lockdown.We also make a special appeal that they observe all the rules and regulations put in place by the authorities of the countries where they are in, as these are meant to curb the spread of this COVID-19 virus.I have tasked our Missions to also determine from host countries whether the authorities can offer any assistance to foreigners stranded in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the issuing / extension of visas.ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATIONEmergency contact numbers for Officials at the High Commission:For media related enquiries: High Commissioner - 07872506706For immigration related enquiries: Department of Home Affairs - 07770790584For Consular related enquiries: 07595272083For more information on the South African Government'smeasures to combat the spread of the Coronavirusplease visit:https://sacoronavirus.co.za/IMPORTANT NOTICE: TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION IN THE UKThe South African High Commission at Trafalgar Square and the Home Affairs Section at 15 Whitehall will close on 20 March 2020 at 15h00 until further notice due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.SAA suspends all international flights till end of MayState-owned airline South African Airways has announced that it is immediately suspending all international operations until 31 May 2020 in light of a government travel ban aimed at stopping transmission of the novel coronavirus.The South African President has declared a National State of Disaster. This will focus on preventing and reducing the outbreak of the Coronavirus.They have announced the following measures:- Travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries (Italy

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