What you need to know about travel to and from South Africa:

The protocol for travelling from the USA to SA and back are as follows:

• Travellers currently do not need to present a negative Covid-19 test to the airlines before travelling to South Africa, given that they are FULLY VACCINATED. If they are not fully vaccinated, they must still present a negative Covid-19 test result. The Covid-19 test should not be older than 72 hours of date and time of travel.
• On returning to the USA, all travellers must present a negative Covid-19 test to the airline no older than 24 hours of date and time of travel, to be allowed travel on flight scheduled for the USA.
• Quarantine: In some cases, travellers might need to self-quarantine at home. This is not currently required but might be regulated by some States.

COVID-19 Testing Required for US Entry:

Effective January 26, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including US citizens and legal permanent residents) to present a negative Covid-19 test, taken within 24 hours before departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days.

Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding.

Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.

Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative Covid-19 test or recovery from Covid-19 for all passengers arriving in the US.