Health Alert: Announcing Possible Repatriation Flights Via Doha – U.S. Embassy Pretoria, South Africa (May 2, 2020)
Location: South Africa
Event: The South African Ministry of Health confirmed 6,336 cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
We have been notified of Embassy of Qatar-coordinated repatriation flights to Doha in the coming weeks. It is not confirmed as a certainty; however, we are collecting information on prospective travelers to provide to the Qatar Embassy in the event the flights are approved.
Flight information:
- These flights will depart from Johannesburg only and will land in Doha. You must make your own onward arrangements from Doha; you will not be able to stay in Doha – only transit is allowed at this time.
- You will be responsible for finding your own transportation to either the Johannesburg airport or to a required staging area (if applicable); we are not aware of any domestic flights at this time.
- It is our understanding that travel between provinces will be permitted next week and thus no travel letter is needed.
- Currently, we do not have any further information on baggage allowances, flight cost, or specific flight times/final dates. We also do not know if business class seats will be available.
If you filled out the Microsoft form on April 29, 2020, we have already submitted your interest to the Qatar Embassy. If you did not fill out a Microsoft form on April 29 and are interested in taking a repatriation flight to Doha in the coming weeks, please complete this form immediately for each member of your traveling party.
Completing this form does not guarantee you a seat nor does it oblige you to take any repatriation flight; no payment details will be requested. All U.S. government-coordinated repatriation flights have departed. We cannot confirm when or if other future options may arise. If you have other questions or issues, please email us at saevacuation@state.gov. Due to the high volume of emails we are receiving, if your question is answered in this message or in the auto-response, we will not be able to respond to your email.
Please see all past alerts at the U.S. Embassy website: https://za.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information//
If you are a U.S. citizen in South Africa and your visa is expiring, please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website for information on extending your visa. We are unable to extend your visa or contact DHA on your behalf.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Notice for South Africa.
Local Resources
- View U.S. Embassy Pretoria’s most recent alerts.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa: Extension of Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown to the end of April
- Announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of 21 day lock-down (Mar 23, 2020)
- Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on measures to combat COVID-19 epidemic
- COVID-19 information page on National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
- Department of Home Affairs page for latest information on travel requirements for South Africa
- COVID-19 Corona Virus: South African Resource Portal
Other links
- COVID-19 information page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- Travel.state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Operating Status: Effective March 26, 2020, U.S. Consulates General Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our websites for additional information.
Operating Status: Effective March 26, 2020, U.S. Consulates General Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our websites for additional information.
Assistance:
-
- United States Embassy to the Republic of South Africa
(Note: The Embassy does not provide consular services)
877 Pretorius Street
Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012-431-4000 (outside South Africa: +27-12-431-4000)
https://za.usembassy.gov/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USEmbassySA/ - United States Consulate General, Johannesburg
(Covering Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces)
1 Sandton Drive (corner of Rivonia and Sandton Drive)
Sandhurst, Johannesburg
ACSJohannesburg@state.gov
Tel: 011-290-3000 (outside South Africa: +27-11-290-3000)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1684 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-1684)
https://za.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/johannesburg/ - United States Consulate General, Durban
(Covering KwaZulu-Natal Province)
Delta Towers, 31st floor
303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street
ConsularDurban@state.gov
Tel: 031-305-7600 (outside South Africa +27-31-305-7600)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1445 (outside South Africa +27-79-111-1445)
https://za.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/durban/ - United States Consulate General, Cape Town
(Covering Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces)
2 Reddam Avenue
Tokai, Cape Town
ConsularCapeTown@state.gov
Tel: 021-702-7300 (outside South Africa: +27 21-702-7300)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-0391 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-0391)
https://za.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/capetown/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/USConsulateCT/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444 - South Africa Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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- United States Embassy to the Republic of South Africa