State-owned airline South African Airways will resume international flights from today, 30 March, to evacuate foreigners who wish to return to their home countries.
As a result of the nationwide lockdown that was implemented from 26 March, many tourists, students, workers, and other foreign citizens could not secure flights out of the country in time and are now stranded in South Africa.
On Sunday, 29 March, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the government had been approached by the United States, the UK and Germany with requests to evacuate their citizens.
‘We will issue new directives to allow foreigners to depart,’ he said.
‘Following these engagements with the various foreign governments and the South African government, SAA has decided to reopen our international flight schedule, albeit on a limited basis, in order to accommodate these requests with flights to operate from both Cape Town and Johannesburg,’ said written correspondence from the SAA rescue practitioners.
These flights, however, will not accommodate anyone who has tested positive for the coronavirus and all passengers will be subject to the screening protocols prior to departure. ‘Any passengers that present flu-like symptoms will not be allowed on any of these flights,’ they said.
Source: Mail & Guardian
Featured image: Twitter/FrotisInvestment
