Limited domestic air travel for business purposes will be allowed as of 1 June, subject to restrictions on the number of flights per day and authorisation based on the reason for travel.
This was announced by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, in announcing regulations that will apply in lockdown level three.
According to Mbalula, the availability of port health services will also guide the scheduling of flights. The resumption of domestic flights will be rolled out in three phases, he said, guided by the following considerations:
- Port Health capacity at the golden triangle airports, namely OR Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International airports.
- The initial period will serve as a trial period to stress test the system and measures to determine if they are holding up or not, he said.
- Lanseria Airport is to arrange Port Health Capacity and government to certify it before any flight is allowed to take off or land.
“In this regard, we will work closely with the management of this privately owned airport to ensure that all the necessary measures are in place,” he said.
Commercial aircraft movement will be allowed from these airports during each phase:
Phase 1
- OR Tambo International Airport
- Cape Town International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport, and
- Lanseria International Airport
Limited domestic air travel, he said, also means that flights will only be allowed to depart and land at selected airports in a phased manner as earlier explained.
Only passengers will be allowed inside the terminal buildings, and no accompanying members of the public will be allowed inside the terminal buildings. Temperature screening will be conducted at the terminal building entrances, before any passenger is allowed entry.
No passengers will be allowed inside the terminal buildings without masks.
ACSA, the minister said, will ensure effectiveness of the sanitisation process before entering the terminal buildings, which may result in the number of entrances being reduced.
All the airports will have markings on the floor for social distancing of 1,5 metres. This will be applicable at check-in counters, security checkpoints and airport lounges.
All airline check-in agents will wear face shields and the counters will be installed with protective screens. Check-in counters will also be frequently sanitised.
All airport personnel will wear masks and passengers are encouraged to use self-check-in to avoid queues at the airport.
“At boarding gates, boarding will be staggered and prioritised in terms of the number of passengers to board. Sectional boarding will be implemented to avoid unnecessary contact inside the aircraft,” the minister announced.
While the total air supply inside cabins is essentially sterile and particle free, he said there is the risk of a person who has a viral infection, entering this.
The following measures will therefore apply inside the cabin of the aircraft:
- no catering will be allowed;
- no magazines on board;
- The last row will be reserved for the isolation of suspected cases.
All aircraft must be disinfected before entering into service and after each flight, he said.
In conclusion, loading capacity for all airport buses must be limited to 70%. These buses must be disinfected after off-loading. Drivers, baggage handlers and ground handlers must be fully equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
