Flights to S. Africa suspended from noon 26/11/2021

[stanleycamel]

Flights to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Zimbabwe are to be suspended from noon on 26/11/2021 due to a new and highly contagious variant of Covid.

Just a heads up in case anyone has a trip to South Africa booked for the next few weeks. Sadly not unexpected.

[shysarah]

Not great news. We are due to travel to South Africa and Zimbabwe in March 2022, a trip that has been moved due to COVID. Due to pay the balance by 24 Dec so just dropped the travel agent an email to query the payment and enquire about the deposit in case we need to cancel 🤞

[creamcake]

we are due to fly out to south africa on the 24th Dec - not looking too hopeful at the moment

[Bellasmummy]

Not great news for those due to travel but I’m glad this is being dealt with promptly rather than the shambles we’ve seen before where Joe Public could see what was needed whilst the powers that be dragged their heels.

[stanleycamel]

Things have started o become a little clearer overnight after the announcement of the suspension of flights to South Afirca etc.

UK Government statement says

There will be a ban on all direct commercial and private flights from these countries from 12.00 midday Friday 26 November to 4am Sunday 28 November and the above countries will go on to the Red LIst with all it entails

This is from the BA and assume other ailrines will follow suit.

We are aware that the UK Government has issued a temporary ban on flights between the UK and South Africa from midday on 26 November, as a result of the new Botswana variant.
We will be working closely with the Government and staying close to any developments. If you’re due to travel between now and Monday 29 November, we will be in touch to advise and update you about any new information we have received. We will also update this page regularly with any new information.


Sadly it is a case of wait and see and I will try to keep this thread up to date but if anyone hears anything confirmed of changes please feel free to update too