Frequently asked questions
Please find our updated statement on
1.Which airports are operating?
- O.R. Tambo International Airport
- Cape Town International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport
- Bram Fischer International Airport
- East London Airport
- George Airport
- Kimberley Airport
- Port Elizabeth International Airport
- Upington International Airport
2.How will you ensure that wheelchairs are sanitised knowing that many people will be touching them?Wheelchairs will be sanitised after every use.
3.Will Passenger Aid Unit assistance be wearing Personal Protective Equipment’s when assisting passengers?All staff members will wear Personal Protective Equipment when assisting passengers.
4.How will the airlines ensure that seats are deep cleaned after every flight?Please kindly refer to your respective airline for more information on sanitation and hygiene within the aircraft.
5.Are IDs and driver’s licenses safe from contamination considering the number of people touching them at the airport?Passengers are encouraged to use online check-in to minimise touching of personal identity documents. Security will also request that passengers scan their boarding cards.
6.Will baggage handlers wear full Personal Protective Equipment because they could pass the virus from one bag to another?All baggage handlers will wear full Personal Protective Equipment when assisting passengers and handling baggage.
7.How safe is luggage from contamination during loading and offloading?Airports Company South Africa adheres to the strictest health and safety protocols. All baggage will be fully sanitised and baggage handlers will wear complete Personal Protective Equipment. Bags must be wrapped as an additional safety measure.
8.Will screening be done on all flights?Passengers will be screened upon entering the terminal building.
9.What screening equipment will be used? Do you have enough?All persons entering the precinct of the airport will be temperature and visually screened. With us resuming operations, we have restricted the access points to the airport and have deployed screeners at these points. We will also be using purposely procured screening equipment. Port Health which is a division of Department of Health has sufficient equipment to carry out passenger screening at the airports. As the airports become busier, we have targeted solutions that will be implemented to handle the higher capacity. At this time, we have sufficient equipment.
10.Will the chapel and prayer facilities be open?To be updated
11.Which restaurants and shops will be open?O.R. Tambo International Airport:• Vida Café • Pizza Express • Woolworths • Coffee & Cream• Chicken Licken• Cosmic Candy• Junxion Pharmacy • FNB, • Standard Bank and,• Nedbank.
King Shaka International Airport:• Fego • Woolworths and • Steers.Cape Town International Airport:• Mugg & Bean • Woolworths • Vida • Cosmic Candy, and • Steers.
12.How frequently are high touch areas and bathrooms sanitized?The bathrooms and high touch areas will be sanitised in accordance with the public health procedure as approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
14.Will trolleys be sanitized and how frequent?Yes, after every use. As an extra safety precaution, we recommend passengers to also sanitize their hands before using a trolley.
14.What will you do to people who do not observe airport rules?They will not be permitted in the terminal building or they will be escorted off the premises by airport security.
15.Will there be isolation facilities available for people who show symptoms or who present a temperature of 38 and higher? There will be secondary screening and isolation facilities available for those with temperature higher that 38 degrees.
16.How will social distancing be enforced in airports?Social distancing signage is up in the terminal building, and Covid-19 monitors will ensure that guidelines are enforced.
17.Will masks be available to passengers who don’t have and will you have a shop selling masks?Passengers must have a mask to be permitted inside the terminal building. Masks will also be sold at vending machines within the airport building
18.Where will hand sanitisers be placed at the airports?Hand sanitisers have been made available at strategic passenger journey touchpoints throughout the terminals. Soap is also provided in all bathroom facilities. Hand sanitizers have been made available throughout the entire terminal building.
19. Can South Africans that are stuck abroad from high-risk countries return home?
Yes, provided that the traveller has tested negative after completing an official COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure, and upon arrival the traveller must present a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure.
20. Can South Africans travel to high-risk countries?
South African citizens who wish to travel to high-risk countries must check with the country if their borders are open and requirements of travel. Please note that South African residents who want to travel to high-risk countries should contact the Department of Home Affairs for clarity.
The contact details are as below:
Facebook: @HomeAffairsZA
Twitter: @HomeAffairsSA
Contact centre: 0800 60 11 90
Email: hacc@dha.gov.za
Website: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/ask-us
21. My Visa has expired, now what?
The Department of Home Affairs has extended Visa applications to 31 January 2021.
22.What are the rules inside the aircraft cabin?Passengers must confirm with the airline directly.
23.What are the rules for passengers?Passengers must wear a mask to be permitted inside the terminal building. Passengers who have a temperature higher than 38 degrees, will not be permitted to enter the airport. Passengers are asked to ensure they adhere to physical distancing of 1.5meters.
24.What Personal Protective Equipment should staff wear? Do they change the Personal Protective Equipment during a shift?ACSA has developed a Personal Protective Equipment guideline that is complaint with local legislation as well as WHO guidelines for Ports Of Entry. We have also done extensive studies on the quality grades of Personal Protective Equipment that best suits our environment. The guideline prescribes Personal Protective Equipment based on the nature of work as well as the occupational exposure. All staff change their Personal Protective Equipment during the shift (eg. after tea break). This is because the general assumption is that Personal Protective Equipment will be contaminated and exhibits a high risk to someone that will want to reuse them. ACSA does provide such Personal Protective Equipment to staff at no cost.
25.What training has staff been given on the new procedures?All staff have been given compulsory Back To Work occupational health and Safety training on COVID-19.
26.What will Airports Company South Africa do if a person who works at the airport becomes infected with Covid-19?We will activate our Occupational Health and Safety staff response plan. Any staff member who is suspected to be ill will be placed in isolation. The Department of Health will be informed, and the employee will be attended to.
27.Will you close the airport if a frontline employee becomes infected?We will activate the Occupational Health Safety processes as stipulated by regulations.
28.We have bought tickets, what will happen to them if the airport doesn’t open?Please ensure that all ticket enquiries are taken up with the respective airline.
29.How many hours before departure must a passenger be at the airport?Passengers must be at the airport at least two hours for domestic flights to ensure enough time is allocated for screening and operational procedures.International travel: Passengers must be at the airport at least four hours for domestic flights to ensure enough time is allocated for screening and operational procedures.
30.Can I come and greet people at the airport or come inside if I am not travelling?Only passengers are permitted inside the terminal buildings currently.
31. What have you done to make airports safer? Airports Company South Africa has recruited additional staff and implemented strict health compliance protocol, including social distancing, temperature screening all passengers and staff, regular deep cleaning, and surface sanitizing of the airports. We have equipped all staff with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and sanitizers.
32. May foreign nationals return to their home country and what is needed from them to travel?
Foreign nationals may return to their country. Travellers must ensure they adhere to their country’s regulations for them to return.
33. May students from high-risk countries come to South Africa?
No, only the following travellers may enter South Africa from high risk countries: Business travellers with scarce and critical skills including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors, and people participating in professional sporting events. #StaySafe
34. If I am screened upon arrival and have an elevated temperature, but I have a negative PCR test, do I still have to go into quarantine?
Yes, travellers who are screened and found to have symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to have another test and be subjected to 10 days mandatory quarantine at a state-appointed facility at their own cost.
35. Can we transit at your airports from an African country to a high-risk country?
No, only the following travellers may enter or leave South Africa from high-risk countries: Business travellers with scarce and critical skills including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors, and people participating in professional sporting events. Leisure travellers transiting from a high-risk country is not permitted. #StaySafe
36. If we travel from a low/medium risk country but transit at a high-risk country, will we be permitted to enter South Africa for leisure?
No, only the following travellers may enter or leave South Africa from high-risk countries: Business travellers with scarce and critical skills including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors and people participating in professional sporting events. #StaySafe
37. What happens if the traveller is unable to afford a COVID-19 test or quarantine?
Please contact the Department of Health for clarity.
Whatsapp: 0600 123 456
Website: http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/shortcodes/2014-03-17-09-30-07
38. Are there COVID-19 testing stations at your airport?
No, not at this time.
39. When will leisure travellers from high-risk countries be permitted?
Please note that the South African Government will review the risk adjusted-strategy every two weeks. We are unable to advise at this time, however, as soon as new information is made available, we will provide an update on our website and via our social media pages.
40. If I have a negative PCR test and screen negative, do I still need to quarantine?
No, if a traveller has a negative PCR test and passes screening, they are free to continue with their travels.
41. Do travellers have to download the app to enable contact tracing?
It is encouraged to do so by the South African Government.
42. Will there be exit screening on international flights?
Yes, there will be exit screening that takes place.
43. Are meeters and greeters permitted inside the terminals now?
Not at the time of publishing this information. However, as soon as new information is made available, we will provide an update on our website and via our social media pages.
44. Will the lounges open?
There will be a gradual re-opening of lounges.