Border closures amid coronavirus outbreak
Kosi Bay is one of two ports of entry between SA and Mozambique to have been closed
ZULULAND’S Kosi Bay border post between South Africa and Mozambique is one of 35 land ports of entry to be closed in an effort to minimise the movement of people.
Thirty-five of South Africa’s 53 land ports of entry have been closed, as have two of its eight sea ports – Mossel Bay and Saldanha Bay.
Government departments yesterday (Monday) morning held a media briefing at which they reiterated that the border closures were not to limit the movement of goods, only people.
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Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, said the Department of Trade and Industry would not be negatively affected by these measures implemented by the department as they were cognisant not to impact commercial activities.
Kosi Bay’s is the only border point to affect Zululand as the Golela border post between South Africa and Swaziland was not on the list of ports of entry to be closed.
Twelve border posts between South Africa and Botswana have been closed, five between Lesotho and South Africa are operational, while four have been closed, one port of entry between South Africa and Mozambique will be operational with two closed, two between South Africa and Namibia are open with four closed, and the only border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe will remain open.
Visas are the only way to effectively limit movement of people, and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has taken a stance on this.
Visas issued to Iranian and Chinese citizens during January and February will be revoked.
As from tomorrow (18 March), a travel ban will be imposed on foreign nationals from high risk countries, including Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and China.
President Ramaphosa said visas to visitors from these countries have been cancelled and previously granted visas are revoked.
Health certificate-based visas for international visitors from medium risk countries, including Portugal, Hong Kong and Singapore, are now required.
Study visas and work permits are not affected, but the re-entry of people on these visas may be affected should they travel to high risk areas.
Motsoaledi said the DHA is also making use of an off-shore passenger control system to screen air passengers.
Ramaphosa said South Africans should refrain from all travel to or through the European Union, United Kingdom, United States and other identified high risk countries.
He also said foreign nationals who have travelled to high risk countries in the past 20 days would be denied a visa, and that all non-essential government travel is banned.
Full list of border closures:
Namibia: Alexander Bay, Sendelingsdrift, Onseepkans, Rietfontein
Botswana: McCarthy’s Rest, Gemsbok, Twee Rivieren, Bray, Makopong, Makgobistad, Swartkopfontein, Derdepoort, Platjan, Stockpoort, Pontdrift, Zanzibar
Mozambique: Kosi Bay, Pafuri, Giriyondo
Swaziland: Emahlathini, Bothashoop, Waverley, Nerston, Josefsdal
Lesotho: Sani Pass, Boesmansnek, Tellebridge, Ongeluksnek, Ramatsiliso, Mononstha Pass, Pekabridge, Makhaleng, Sepapus Gate
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