Headed to Zim in less than a month. I found out a long time ago to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I've read and heard opinions on this site and others from people I respect but it really boils down mostly to opinion which are just that, opinions.
1. Covid test before we leave, positive results means I stay home, others in my group are free to go if negative. Negative test, move on the step 2.
2. Overnight in Joburg, test again before heading to Zim, positive means I find a hotel or someplace to wait till I get a negative and head back to the U.S. By then the hunt will be mostly over. Negative results, get on the plane to Zim. High temperature or cough upon arrival in Harare, tested by Zim medical personnel and positive for Covid: Where would a person have to quarantine? Some say safari camp, others say a Zim government sanctioned "camp". Who officially would know where you would have to spend the next ten days or more? What would you do if you had symptoms and needed medical treatment?
3. Same questions on return: You get tested for Covid, positive, no symptoms but are not allowed on plane for return. Again, where are you (hopefully)allowed to quarantine or do the regs require you to go to an approved government facility?
I am asking legitimate questions that are better resolved before I head over with my group rather than try to "make a plan" after the crap has hit the fan.
I'm sure there are some that will pull the macho card and say if you're that much of a wimp just stay at home. This will be my tenth trip to Africa, several of them right in the middle of the land take over in Zim. I have hunted Mexico for over 40 years and come face to face with the cartel and other encounters that would make your skin crawl. I can make do should there be an "event". I'm concerned about the people going with me, some their first trip and I want to sort out all the issues before I get there.
Yes, my travel agent has the typical response, "many clients going and coming with no problems". Outfitter pretty much the same response, "clients coming and going with no problems".
If anyone has solid information on my prior questions, I would appreciate and mostly my friends going would appreciate sound advice.
Thanks!

Hope like hell you get test readers
that know what they're doing taking them.

AND for NO false positive readings.

Best wishes, hope we can see the pictures
and read your hunting report.

George

1. Passengers can only land at Cape Town (CPT), Durban (DUR), Nelspruit (MQP) or Johannesburg: Lanseria International (HLA) and Tambo International (JNB).

2. Passengers entering or transiting through South Africa must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.
- This does not apply to passengers younger than 5 years.

3. Passengers must complete a "Traveller Health Questionnaire" upon arrival.

4. Passengers and airline crew are subject to medical screening.

5. Airline crew could be subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival.

6. Visa exemptions for nationals of France, Germany, Italy, Korea (Rep.), Portugal, Singapore, Spain, USA, for passengers with a Hong Kong (SAR China) passport and for passengers
with a British normal passport with nationality "British Citizen", have been reinstated.

7. More COVID-19 related information can be found at https://www.gov.za/Coronavirus/travel

International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Africa: Strict health protocols are in place for international travellers to South Africa. You will need to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) COVID-19 test to border officials upon arrival in South Africa. The test must have taken place no more than 72 hours before your departure. It should be conducted by a certified medical practitioner, and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test.

We advise that you carry several paper copies of your test, as you may need to present it more than once on your journey. If you do not present proof of a test upon arrival, you will be required to take a Covid-19 at your own expense and may be required to quarantine at your own cost. You will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire on the plane before you enter South Africa.
You should arrange to take a private test.

Business travellers providing services across the borders between South Africa and the Southern African Development Community are allowed multiple entry subject to producing a certificate of negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure. It should be conducted by a certified medical practitioner, and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test. This certificate is valid for 14 days. Entry and exit to South Africa via some land borders is restricted.

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For any questions regarding the process to enter South Africa, you should speak to your local South African High Commission.

*Transiting South Africa: It is possible to transit South Africa and travel to a third country via air. If you wish to transit through South Africa, you must bring a paper copy of a negative PCR COVID-19 test result. The test should not be older than 72 hours from the time of departure. It should be conducted by a certified medical practitioner, and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test. We advise that you carry several paper copies of your test, as you may need to present it more than once on your journey. If you cannot produce a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test then you may have to quarantine at your own cost. You will need to complete and produce an online travel health questionnaire on your personal device before arriving in South Africa. The questionnaire is available from the South Africa Department of Health.

*Screening on arrival: Screening processes have been introduced at all major ports of entry, including airports, for arrivals, departures and transit passengers. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the authorities. Additional screening may include temperature measurements and check on recent travel to affected areas.

*Quarantine requirements: If you fail to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR test you will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at your own cost. If you test positive for Covid-19, you will be required to self-isolate in line with Government guidelines at your own cost for 10 days. Self-isolation is not required if you have provided the negative PCR test.

*Data collection: The South African government requires you to complete a health declaration form with your details on arrival, including your address, contact information, and recent travel history. This can also be completed online at South Africa Department of Health

*Testing on departure: Screening processes have been introduced at all major ports of entry, including airports, for arrivals, departures and transit passengers. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the authorities. Screening may include temperature measurements and chck on recent travel to affected areas. If you feel unwell, you should not attempt to travel. Presenting at the airport with symptoms may result in you being sent to a government health facility for quarantine and further testing.

Quarantine requirement at government designated site or self-isolation (if requested).

Self-isolation is not required if you have provided the negative PCR test. If you fail to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR test you will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at your own cost. If you test positive for Covid-19, you will be required to self-isolate in line with Government guidelines at your own cost for 10 days.

COVID-19 negative certification required for entering the country.

The test should not be older than 72 hours from the time of departure. It should be conducted by a certified medical practitioner, and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted the test.

quote:

1. Covid test before we leave, positive results means I stay home, others in my group are free to go if negative. Negative test, move on the step 2.
2. Overnight in Joburg, test again before heading to Zim

Having to overnight and get another PCR test is the reason I am taking Emirates to Zim in a few days. The only layover is at Dubai airport and my original test counts for entry into Zim.

I just went to Zim in June, going back in Aug.

On staying the night in RSA, if you stay "in transit" then you won't have to retest... Isn't there a transit hotel in OR Tambo, so that you won't have left the airport?

Also, not sure how anyone on the ground in Zim would know if someone DIDN'T stay inside the airport...

June I went through Dubai (overnighted transit hotel), this time I'm flying Qatar to JNB, then Bulawayo. No overnight, land at JNB in the morning & off to Zim same day.

quote:

Originally posted by Baker458:
I just went to Zim in June, going back in Aug.

On staying the night in RSA, if you stay "in transit" then you won't have to retest... Isn't there a transit hotel in OR Tambo, so that you won't have left the airport?

Also, not sure how anyone on the ground in Zim would know if someone DIDN'T stay inside the airport...

June I went through Dubai (overnighted transit hotel), this time I'm flying Qatar to JNB, then Bulawayo. No overnight, land at JNB in the morning & off to Zim same day.

Yes, there is a hotel at the Joburg airport.