German government to start repatriating its citizens from South Africa

The German embassy, on Thursday 2 April, said the repatriation of its citizens from South Africa would commence on Friday 3 April. The repatriation planes are to be operated by South African Airways (SAA). 

“We are very happy that, in accordance with the rules by the South African government, we have found an agreement with South African Airways to organise the repatriation of remaining German tourists in South Africa,” it said. 

“This is a joint effort, which sends a strong message of solidarity and cooperation during these trying times”, said German Ambassador Martin Schäfer.

How many German tourists will be repatriated from South Africa? 

Repatriation flights are set to start on Friday evening from both Johannesburg and Cape Town. 

The flights are targeted at German tourists who have been stranded in South Africa due to the lockdown and the cessation of commercial air traffic. The Embassy estimates that more than 5 000 German tourists are still in South Africa. 

The repatriation flights organised by the German government will also be open to citizens from other European Union member states. EU nationals are requested to contact their respective embassies.

Here’s how the repatriation process will work 

According to the embassy, it has reached an agreement with South African authorities, that all passengers will converge at a central assembly point, from where busses will take them to the airport. 

Only passengers not showing symptoms of the coronavirus will be allowed to travel aboard the flights. Screenings will be conducted before every flight’s departure. 

Travellers showing symptoms of the virus will be required to seek medical advice and treatment in South Africa and to strictly follow the rules on self-isolation/quarantine imposed by the South African government. In other words, they won’t be returning home just yet. 

“For the coming days and weeks, we have an enormous logistical challenge ahead of us in order to get our compatriots home. We are grateful for the cooperation with the South African government. And we are glad to join forces with SAA as a reliable partner. We hope our compatriots will be back with their friends and families in Germany very soon,” said Schäfer. 

More than 60 German tourists in quarantine 

The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed on Friday 27 March, that a group of German tourists were under quarantine after one of them was confirmed positive for the coronavirus. 

It was communicated that one member of the group who tested positive, was at a health facility in Gauteng. The group had initially set out to leave the country on Thursday 26 March before the lockdown.

“Port Health Services were alerted and responded to the situation leading to the group being grounded,” said Gauteng health department spokesperson Kwara Kekana. 

Kekana said 47 tourists in the group were at a health facility in Gauteng. 

“Due to the limited quarantine space, separate arrangements were made to have the other 15 members of the group accommodated at one of the Gauteng health facilities and are under quarantine,” she said.