FLIGHT CENTRE STATEMENT REACTION TO SA GOVERNMENT-IMPOSED TRAVEL BANS
JOHANNESBURG, 16 MARCH 2020 – With yesterday’s announcement that the South African Government has instituted a travel ban in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Flight Centre South Africa reiterates its commitment to assisting and re-accommodating affected travellers.
The latest travel bans and restrictions instituted include:
*Travel bans effective 18 March 2020 to and from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, United States, UK and China.
*Travellers from medium-risk source markets - Portugal, Singapore and Hong Kong - to present themselves for testing.
*Anyone who has travelled to these countries from mid-February, need to present themselves for testing.
*Self-isolation for South Africans who have come from high-risk destinations.
*Intensified screening at all ports of entry.
*All non-essential domestic travel is discouraged.
*Gatherings of more than 100 people prohibited.
Says Andrew Stark, MD Flight Centre Travel Group Middle East and Africa: “Our top priority, as always, is to assist our customers, based on our travel expertise and the relationship we have with suppliers internationally, to re-accommodate any travel plans that need to be changed in the short term as this situation continues to evolve.”
Flight Centre urges affected customers to contact their travel expert swiftly with any questions or concerns.
“Our Travel Experts have the latest information on cancellation and rebooking policies and can assist customers with rescheduling their travel. It is essential that you look to official sources of information in these uncertain times and do not share or act on information that has not been verified by an expert.”
Flight Centre further wishes to urge all South Africans to take heed of the following advice when travelling:
*Allow for additional time at airports and ports of entry, locally and abroad, as strict health screening is being performed at airports worldwide.
*Don’t travel without comprehensive travel insurance, regardless of the destination.
*Inform yourself and adopt these basic protective measures from the World Health Organization, regardless of travel.
