South Africa closes all its 20 land border posts – but international travel via airports remains unchanged | Watch

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South Africa closes all its 20 land border posts – but international travel via airports remains unchanged | Watch

9:08 CAT | 12 Jan 2021

International travel via airports remains unchanged, meaning Covid-19 concerns do not apply to those who can afford to buy a plane ticket and are free to enter and exit the country at will In the 'Noticias' photograph above: people queuing in Ressano Garcia Mozambique, opposite to Lembombo, in South Africa. [Photo: Noticias]

South Africa’s president announced late Monday that the country will close its 20 land border posts until Feb. 15 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus — with people only allowed to cross in “limited circumstances”.

“To reduce congestion and the high risk of transmission, cabinet has decided that the 20 land ports of entry that are now open will be closed until February 15 for general entry and departure,” Ramaphosa said.

“These include the six busiest border posts, which are Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge, Oshoek, Ficksburg and Kopfontein,” he announced.

Also read: UK extends England entry ban to travellers from Mozambique, 10 other African countries for COVID variant

Allowed will be the transportation of goods, fuel and medical emergencies, among others, and the return of South African nationals or permanent residents and diplomats into the country, and the departure of foreign nationals.

President #Ramaphosa: To reduce congestion and the high risk of transmission, Cabinet has decided that the 20 land ports of entry that are currently open will be closed until the 15th of February for general entry and departure. pic.twitter.com/bC7nZMRnms

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 11, 2021

While the country remains on revised level three lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced further restrictions including the closure of 20 land borders until next month while the sale of alcohol is still prohibited.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday night as coronavirus cases continue to surge around the country.

The president expressed concern that the rising new infections continued to burden the health system, especially in key provinces.

He said that the huge congestions seen at some of the land posts were a challenge, which exposed many to infections as they waited to be processed.

It is recent scenes at the Beitbridge and Maseru Bridge border posts that have caught the attention of many resulting in mounting concern.

But as some warn of human rights violations and with no workable solution in sight, Ramaphosa and his Cabinet have decided to close all 20 land border posts in the country.

“These include the six busiest border posts, which are Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge, Oshoek, Ficksburg and Kopfontein.”

Ramaphosa said that there was a category of people who would be allowed to move in and out of the country.

“The transportation of fuel, cargo and goods; emergency medical attention for a life-threatening condition; the return of South African nationals, permanent residents or persons with other valid visas; diplomats; the departure of foreign nationals and daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend school in South Africa.”

“These measures we had implemented right at the beginning when we had earlier lockdown. The full list of exemptions is in the regulations,” he said.

Disaster Management Act (57/2002): Amendment of Regulations issued in terms of Section 27 (2) https://t.co/ji5zT815wf #Level3Lockdown #COVID19 #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/5Uc0JSEfMu

— NationalCoGTA (@NationalCoGTA) January 12, 2021