On Saturday the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula announced the travel regulations for level 3 of the national lockdown starting Monday, 1 June.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport companies are allowed to transport people if they are:
- Travelling to work or performing a service, given that they have a permit
- Moving to a new place of residence;
- If they are responsible for the caring of an immediate family member;
- Learners or students who have to commute when those schools or institutions are allowed to resume operation;
- Attending funerals;
- Transporting mortal remains;
- Going to access a medical service;
- Returning to their place of residence from a quarantine or isolation facility;
- Movement of children; and
- Members of Parliament performing oversight responsibilities.
These companies will be allowed to transport throughout the day, but must comply with the following capacity restrictions:
- Minibus taxis at 70% capacity
- Buses, eHailing and Meter Taxis at 50% capacity
- Shuttles and chauffeur services at 50%
RAIL
The Department says that PRASA is not prepared to resume its operations and has estimated that Metrorail services will only resume on 1 July 2020. The Gautrain will now also resume its airport service. Long distance travel is not permitted.
AVIATION
Domestic air travel will resume in a phased approach. The initial period will help gauge how well the system operates, how effective the measures implemented are and whether they can move to the next phase. Only passengers will be allowed in the terminal buildings and will be screened before they are allowed to enter. All passengers are required to wear masks.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) will be responsible to ensure that buildings are sanitised properly. Airport floors will be marked to facilitate social distancing. Check-in agents will be required to wear a face shield and protective screens will be installed at counters.
Cabins will be allowed full capacity as the risk of infection for Covid-19 is reportedly lower onboard than in other densely-packed spaces. High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters used in hospital operating theatres and industrial cleanrooms will be installed to remove viruses. No catering or use of magazines will be allowed. The last row in the aircraft will be reserved for isolating suspected cases. These suspected cases will be taken to Port Health.
The following airports will operate in the following phases:
Phase 1
- OR Tambo International Airport
- Cape Town International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport, and
- Lanseria International Airport
Phase 2
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
- Polokwane International Airport
- Bram Fischer Airport
Phase 3
- Kimberley Airport
- Upington Airport
- East London Airport
- Umtata Airport
- Port Elizabeth Airport
MARITIME TRANSPORT
No changes have been made to the movement of ships or the ban on passenger vessels and cruise liners. Movement of cargo from sea-ports to its final destination is allowed. The Mossel Bay and Saldanha ports will be allowed to operate. Registered South African seafarers will be allowed to embark and disembark ships with compulsory quarantine for those returning to the country.
All Drivers’ Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs), Vehicle Testing Centres (VTCs) and Provincial Regulatory Entities (PREs) will resume their operations on 1 June 2020, given that they comply to the health standards and passes their state of readiness test.
