Cabinet has decided to open 20 more land borders from Monday. 15 February.
The border crossings to Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have been closed since January, 11 following a spike in COVID-19 in South Africa.
The border posts opening include:
In line with the reopening, Department of Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza and Director-General Tommy Makhode will visit the four busiest border posts to check on COVID-19 protocols.
The openings follow engagement between South Africa and the bordering countries regarding cooperation to ensure all those entering fall in line. This will help avoid feared super-spreader events at the border.
The penalties for attempting to cross the border without meeting the right criteria are also harsher. Motosaledi said those attempting to cross with a fake negative COVID-19 papers will be turned away and banned from entering South Africa for five years.
Picture: @TravelsMw/Twitter