Here are the latest travel restrictions and lockdown updates from countries in Africa:
- Face masks must be worn in public spaces.
- Lockdown measures will be “sequentially eased" over the coming weeks.
- All lockdown regulations are expected to be lifted by 30 May 2020.
- Mozambique remains in a state of emergency.
- No visas will be issued for travel to Mozambique during that time.
- Anyone travelling into Mozambique or through any border has to self-quarantine for 14 days.
- No tourists are allowed into Mozambique currently.
- Most hotels and lodges have closed for now as most guests enter via South Africa which is in lockdown.
- When South Africa opens its borders into Mozambique and flights are allowed to travel from South Africa into Mozambique again, then operations will resume.
- Air Namibia resumed domestic operations from 06 May. This comes after President Hage Geingob announced a four-stage strategy for Namibia to exit its COVID-19 lockdown.
- Stage two of the lockdown is being implemented from 05 May until 01 June 2020.
- Namibia’s national carrier will operate domestic flights from Eros and Windhoek to Ondangwa. Air Namibia will also resume flights between Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz, Oranjemund and Walvis Bay.
- Stage two of Namibia’s lockdown includes allowing Namibians to re-enter the country subject to screening at points of entry and supervised quarantine for 14 days.
- Face masks must be worn in public spaces.
- 5 levels of lockdown have been advised for South Africa. Level 5 being the most intense with easing of restrictions to Level 1.
- South Africa came out of level 5 of lockdown and went into Level 4 on Friday 01 May 2020.
- This means that certain industries may return to work and some grades may return to school but under strict health protocols.
- Shops are now able to sell a few more items other than essentials.
- There is still no interacting with friends or families or leaving homes unless it is for work for specified industries, medical or food requirements.
- Face masks must be worn in public spaces.
- No International or Domestic travel is allowed in Level 4.
- We have not yet been given a date as to how long Level 4 will last.
- The lockdown in Zimbabwe has been extended to 18 May with only essential services open currently.
- Personnel entering Zambia are required to undergo mandatory testing and quarantine for at least 14 days in a designated institution or facility at their own cost.
- Individuals/ families will not be allowed to leave Zambia until the mandatory quarantine period has been completed.
- Face masks must be worn in public.
- Flights are still running 3 times a week and tourist visas are still being issued at this time with the above conditions applied.
- The Kenya government took numerous measures to contain the pandemic since the first case was announced, and they have been escalating the same gradually.
- In addition to the earlier announced extension on the existing ban on all international flights by 30 days from 05 April 2020, the Kenya dusk (19:00hrs) to dawn (05:00hrs EAT) curfew was extended on 25 April 2020 by 21 more days. Only medical professionals, as well as critical and essential service providers, are exempt from the curfew.
- Likewise, there was also a 21-day extension of the cessation of movement in and out of the Nairobi metropolitan area, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties up to 16 May 2020.
- On a positive note, all restaurants have been on a total closure so far but the Government announced relaxation measures to reopen restaurants and work within some stipulated rules which is a positive thing towards normalcy.
- Tanzania borders are still open, but travellers entering the country will be put on a 14-day compulsory quarantine at their cost.
- Rwanda has partially lifted the national lockdown, allowing businesses to operate from 04 May.
- The new measures will be reviewed after 15 days upon a health assessment.
- During the lockdown, the country had restricted movement of people except for essential services such as healthcare, food shopping, and banking.
- But from 04 May, the country has been allowing free movement from 5am to 8pm. Residents will need permission for movement beyond 8pm.
- Rwanda’s borders will also remain closed except for transit and for returning citizens, who will be subjected to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
- Uganda was on a national lockdown until 05 May 2020. Certain restrictions will be relaxed from going forward.
- Madagascar borders are still closed.
The government has extended the confinement period up to 17 May 2020, and businesses can now operate from 6 am to 1 pm.
- No sign of domestic airspace opening yet and local travel is still restricted within the following regions: Antananarivo, Antsinanana, and Haute Matsiatra.
THE MALDIVES
- The Maldives is still on full lockdown. Unfortunately, there is no notice on when they will reopen yet.
- The Curfew Order for the island of Mauritius up to 04 May has been extended to 01 June 2020.
- It is intended to proceed to a partial release of activities after 15 May 2020.
- The border will remain closed until further notice.
SEYCHELLES
- Seychelles has also partially lifted restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first group of employees resuming work on 4 May.
- Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Employment, Jules Baker, said different groups of people would go back to work on a transitional basis.
- “On May 4, there will be a category of people going back to work – those working in offices, shops, retail-home deliveries, food outlets, restaurants, mobile units, spas, hairdressers and barbers, postal services, fishing industry, construction and tourism activities."
- “On May 11, another group started work as day-care and childminding services resumed. Working parents will be able to go back to work," said Baker.
- To note the International Airport for International flights is scheduled to open on 1 June 2020 – still with the guideline from the Department of Health Seychelles which is to be detailed further.
