South Africa Archives

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Border Management Authority Bill of 2020 took effect this week, after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed it. The government says the bill will tighten border control to lessen illegal immigration and simplify control of ports of entry.

Key Points:

The law establishes the Border Management Authority as the sole department to manage the country’s ports of entry instead of current management by several agencies.
The law also provides term limits for office, conditions of service, functions and powers.
Establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee, Border Technical Committee and advisory committees for the review/appeal of decisions by officers.

Background: The legislation, which the South African parliament approved in March, reflects South Africa’s attempt to deal with illegal immigration.

Analysis & Comments: This legislation will not affect high-skilled immigration filings since these are done at consulates prior to travel. The impact on tourism and travel by air will be negligible since the international airports already operate at an international standard. The land ports of entry will benefit from the focus this change will bring and it is hoped that the bottlenecks that are regularly experienced will be a thing of the past.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Netherlands has lifted travel restrictions for foreign nationals from certain countries, as well as for certain immigration categories.

Key Points:

Travel restrictions are lifted for residents of Algeria, Australia, Canada, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. The list will be revised every two weeks, although changes may be made outside of the regular update pattern, if necessary, based on COVID-19 developments.
Travel restrictions do not apply to the following categories:
- EU citizens (including U.K. nationals) and their family members.
- Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and their family members.
- Third-country nationals holding a residence card or a residence permit in accordance with the LTR Directive and their family members.
- Third-country nationals who derive their right of residence from other European Directives or from the national law of a Member State and their family members.
- Holders of a long-stay visa, including persons with a temporary residence permit (MVV) and their family members.
- Persons with an essential function or need, including: Health care workers, border workers, those employed in the transport of goods and other transport personnel, seafarers with a seaman’s book (with the exception of seafarers on commercial and pleasure yachts), diplomats, military personnel, international and humanitarian organization personnel, those with compelling reasons to visit their families (e.g., funeral, terminal illness), transit passengers who wish to travel via the Netherlands to another third country and who do not leave the international transit zone of the airport, those in need of international protection, those admitted for humanitarian reasons, students,* highly skilled migrants.*

*Residents of countries not on the approved list, including the U.S., Canada and Australia, may only travel to the Netherlands if they will perform a vital function or have a serious need. This includes those who have received a letter from the IND stating they will receive a residence permit as a:

- Highly skilled migrant (including researchers and holders of an EU blue card or ICT directive). A written declaration of the employer is needed upon traveling to the Netherlands, stating that the highly skilled migrant has to be present in the Netherlands to execute the work and why. The declaration should also include an explanation of why the move cannot be postponed.
- University or college student.
- Family member of a highly skilled migrant or student.
- Family member of a Dutch sponsor (partner, spouse, child). Documents proving the family relationship are needed.

When traveling to the Netherlands, highly skilled migrants, students and family members should bring the IND letter stating that they will receive a residence permit. Admission to the Netherlands is assessed by the border officials and they have the discretionary power to refuse access.

Additional information: For more information on the lifting of travel restrictions and who is eligible to enter the Netherlands, please click here.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to lower the nationwide alert to Level 3 starting June 1 and to allow additional activities to resume in phases.

Key Points:

Starting June 1, businesses in manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, professional and business services, IT and communications, government and media services will resume. However, they must develop workplace plans before reopening, including social distancing measures, screening of employees upon arrival at work, quarantine protocols and testing for symptomatic employees and contact tracing in case an employee tests positive. Employees who are able to work from home should be allowed to, and employees over age 60 or those with underlying medical conditions should stay at home.
Permitted business activities and some domestic travel for business will be phased in according to a schedule to be announced.
People who do not need to go to work or school should continue to stay home, but people will be able to leave their homes to buy goods, obtain medical care or exercise, and the curfew on movement will be lifted. Gatherings remain prohibited, except for funerals of fewer than 50 people.
Certain high-risk activities remain prohibited, including conferences. Restaurants, pubs, lodges and hotels will remain closed.
South African citizens may return to their residence abroad only for work, study, family reunion, medical reasons, or to take up permanent residency. They must seek permission from the Department of Home Affairs via email by providing a copy of their valid South African passport, a letter confirming admissibility from the relevant embassy or consulate of the host country and any transiting countries, and proof of tickets and intended travel date.
Hotspots within South Africa may return to Level 4 or 5. A hotspot is defined as an area with more than five infected people per 100,000 or where new infections are rapidly increasing. The list of hotspots will be reviewed every two weeks.

Additional information: The additional easing of the nationwide lockdown will allow more business activities to resume, but employers will need to have workplace plans and protocols in place before reopening. Ramaphosa emphasized that the number of infections continues to increase and the alert level may return to Level 4 or 5 in any part of the country if COVID-19 spreads or overwhelms the health care system.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate an increase in employee mobility and arrange travel schedules for affected travelers accordingly. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Department of Home Affairs has announced the resumption of limited services and protocols for certain travelers, such as returning South African citizens and permanent residents and departing foreign nationals.

As of May 1, the country moved from a Level 5 to Level 4 alert, and President Cyril Ramaphosa relaxed the nationwide lockdown, allowing some businesses to reopen.

The Department of Home Affairs is providing the following services during the Level 4 phase:

Issuance of temporary identity certificates.
Collection of identity cards or documents. Smart ID cards may be collected at all live capture offices, but no new applications will be accepted during this period.
Registration of births and deaths, excluding late registration of birth.
Re-issuance of birth and death certificates.
Applications and collection of passports for those traveling across the country’s borders to deliver essential goods and those traveling outside the country to receive medical treatment.

South African citizens and permanent residents returning to South Africa must follow these protocols:

Obtain prior approval from the South African mission in the country where they are by applying within 72 hours of their intended entry into South Africa.
Submit with their application a copy of their passport, ID card or document; a copy of their permanent residence permit, if applicable; and their travel itinerary in the previous two months.
If allowed to enter South Africa, the individual will be referred for mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

Foreign nationals who are repatriated to their home country or country of residence must follow these procedures before departing:

Obtain approval from the relevant foreign mission or consulate in South Africa within 72 hours of intended departure. The application must include a copy of the applicant’s passport, temporary residence visa or permanent residence permit, and proof of the applicant’s means of travel.
The foreign mission or consulate must notify the Minister of Home Affairs in writing and obtain prior approval of the intended exit.

Analysis & Comments: Though DHS is resuming some functions, applicants seeking immigration services should anticipate significant delays, as only skeletal staff will return to work. Expatriates returning home should be aware of the pre-approval process and factor in the new requirements when planning their departure. Borders remain closed to international inbound travel with limited exceptions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The South African government will begin relaxing the strict nationwide COVID-19 lockdown on May 1 with a phased approach to allowing some businesses to reopen, but the borders will remain closed and domestic travel, as well as nonessential activities, will remain curtailed.

What does the change mean? Certain businesses will be permitted to reopen but only one-third of workers will be allowed to return to work, according to comments by President Cyril Ramaphosa in a televised address last week. The energy sector and refineries are among the industries allowed to resume operations. Restrictions may be specific to individual provinces, districts and metropolitan areas, as separate alert levels will be issued for each locality.

Implementation time frame: May 1 and onward.
Business impact: Some businesses will be able to resume, but much activity will remain restricted, such as travel between provinces and large gatherings. The government is encouraging businesses that are operating remotely to continue doing so.

Additional information: The guidelines for the May 1 phase allow for South Africans to return but they must be quarantined for 14 days before residing with family or going to work. Postal services, courier services and public transportation will resume. Hotels and other guest accommodations remain closed. Recreational visits and crowds are prohibited. Individuals may go outdoors for exercise but are restricted to certain hours and must keep social distancing. A curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. is in place, except for those who have a permit.

Analysis & Comments: Petroleum and other energy companies will be able to reopen because of their importance to the South African economy. As with other countries, the COVID-19 situation is fluid, and the government is taking a cautious approach in reopening businesses selectively to revive the economy without sparking a new outbreak of the coronavirus. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes around the world.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that he is extending the nationwide lockdown on activities until the end of April to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The lockdown was initially scheduled to end April 16.

The stay-at-home order will apply until April 30. All individuals, except enumerated critical workers, must remain at home except for essentials, such as to buy food, medicine or supplies, to seek medical care or to collect a social grant. Inbound foreign nationals from high-risk countries remain barred from entry. High risk countries include China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.

Additionally, the government has announced several temporary measures for foreign nationals who have already legally entered South Africa. These measures apply to foreign nationals whose visas expired Feb. 15 onward except for visa extensions filed before that date that remain pending. The following visa measures will remain in place until at least July 31.

Visa measures:

Expiring visas. Foreign nationals with temporary residence visas that expire Feb. 15 or later who did not renew their visas before the lockdown will not be declared undocumented or put on the prohibited persons list. Anyone whose visas expired before or during the lockdown will not be detained for holding an expired visa. Those who return to their home country after the lockdown instead of renewing their visa will not be deemed undesirable upon departure.
Visa applications. The Department of Home Affairs is not accepting or processing visa or permanent residence applications during the lockdown. Those with visas expiring after Feb. 15 may re-apply after the lockdown and will not need to obtain a good cause authorization to stay in the country. Those with visas expiring after Feb. 15 who had scheduled appointments during the lockdown should reschedule to a date after the lockdown has been lifted.
Work, study and business. People whose visas expire during the lockdown and those who have made applications for renewals or re-applied for their respective visas before the lockdown but remain pending, will be allowed to work, study or conduct business after the lockdown while waiting decisions on their applications.
Nationals of high-risk countries. Visas issued for nationals of high-risk countries who were outside South Africa on March 15 remain revoked.
Departure ban. During the lockdown, foreign nationals currently in South Africa are barred from departing, unless expatriation was initiated by another state.
Lesotho Exemption Permit. Lesotho Special Permits which expired on Dec. 31, 2019 remain valid until June 15, 2020. Holders of the Lesotho Special Permit have until June 15 to submit their applications for the Lesotho Exemption Permit, and no new applications will be accepted.
Asylum Seeker Permits. Asylum seekers whose visas expire March 16 to the end of the lockdown period will not be penalized or arrested as long as they legalize their visa within 30 calendar days after the date the lockdown is lifted.

Analysis & Comments: South African businesses and their employees should identify employees affected by the temporary visa measures to plan next steps in the coming months. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the country on lock down to help slow the spread of COVID-19, citing the increasing numbers of cases worldwide and a high risk of overwhelming the country’s health care system. The measures are detailed below.

All individuals are ordered to stay home during the lockdown from midnight Thursday, March 26 until midnight April 16. Critical workers, such as medical personnel, those involved in food production, and other essential services, are exempt.
Individuals will only be allowed to leave their homes under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.
All offices, shops and businesses will be closed, except for essential services. Companies that are able to operate remotely should do so.
South African citizens and residents arriving from high-risk countries will be automatically placed under quarantine for 14 days.
Non-citizens arriving on flights from high-risk countries (currently China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States) will be turned back.
International travelers who arrived in South Africa from high-risk countries after March 9, 2020 will be confined to their hotels until they complete a 14-day quarantine.
International flights to Lanseria Airport are temporarily suspended.

Analysis & Comments: Companies and their employees should prepare for the national lockdown measures and consider implementing telecommuting policies for employees if possible.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The Department of Home Affairs has released temporary measures in furtherance of COVID-19 travel restrictions announced by the president Sunday.

Key measures:

Visa exemptions. Visa exemptions for nationals of the following high-risk countries are canceled with immediate effect: Germany, Iran, Italy, France, Switzerland, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visa exemptions for the following medium-risk countries/territories are canceled with immediate effect: Hong Kong, Portugal, and Spain. Nationals of the medium-risk countries will be required to apply for a visa at a South African consulate and submit a medical report attesting that they have not tested positive for COVID-19. Visa waiver agreements with countries the Department of Health deems high or medium risk will be suspended through issuance of travel alerts.
Entry bans. In accordance with the International Relations and Cooperation Ministry as per the World Health Organization, foreign nationals, regardless of whether they hold a visa, who are traveling from or transiting through the following countries are barred from entering: China, France Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., the U.S. will be denied entry, with immediate effect.
Visas. Visas issued to nationals of China or Iran on or before March 15, 2020 are revoked and are now null and void. Foreign nationals whose passport indicates they have visited high-risk countries will be denied port of entry visas or temporary residence visas. Visas will be denied to any foreign national who has traveled to a high-risk country in the previous 20 days. Visas already issued to travelers from high-risk countries are revoked for those who have not yet entered South Africa.
Visa renewals. Foreign nationals in South Africa whose temporary residence visa is soon to expire or has already expired and who originates from or would need to transit through a country affected by COVID-19, may re-apply for a new visa with a validity date through July 31, 2020. They must meet all visa criteria and requests for changes of status or conditions will not be allowed. Those whose temporary residence visa expires between Dec. 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 may re-apply for a visa without needing to obtain a Form 20 authorization.
Arrival procedures. All international travelers, including South African citizens, will be required to fill out a Health Form upon arrival and undergo a medical screening for COVID-19. If required, travelers will be isolated or quarantined for at least 14 days. Travelers from medium-risk countries must undergo high-intensity screening. South African citizens returning from high-risk countries will be subject to testing, self-isolation or quarantine upon return.
Screening in-country. Travelers from high-risk countries who entered South Africa since Feb. 15 are required to present themselves for testing.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should continue to identify affected employees and reschedule or cancel travel if necessary. We are closely monitoring developments, including any changes to the list of countries deemed high- and medium risk and potential cancelation of visa exemptions for additional visa waivered nationals.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? In a national address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced travel bans, visa cancelation and other measures as the world copes with COVID-19. South Africa has recorded 61 cases of the virus and Ramaphosa said the number of cases is expected to rise in the coming weeks.

Key travel restrictions:

Travel ban. Starting March 18, foreign nationals from the following high-risk countries will be banned from entering South Africa: China, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. All travelers who have entered South Africa from high-risk countries since mid-February will be required to present themselves for testing.
Visas. With immediate effect, visas granted to nationals of the above countries are canceled. Any foreign national who has visited a high-risk country in the previous 20 days will be denied a visa.
Screening. Travelers from medium-risk countries, including Hong Kong, Portugal, or Singapore, will be required to undergo intensive screening.
South African citizens. South African citizens returning from a high-risk country will be subject to testing and either self-quarantine or quarantine upon return. South African citizens are advised to immediately refrain from travel to or transit through the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and other high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South Korea. Travel within South Africa that is non-essential, particularly by air, train, taxi or bus, is also discouraged.
Ports of entry. Thirty-five of the 53 land ports will shut down starting March 16. Screening and testing measures will be strengthened at OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International Airports.
Groups. Gatherings of more than 100 people are banned in South Africa.

Analysis & Comments: Companies should identify travelers who are subject to the travel ban, as well as visa holders and visa applicants affected by the new visa policies, and rearrange schedules if necessary. The situation is fluid and additional countries may be identified as high-risk and subject to travel restrictions. We are closely monitoring these developments and will report on changes as information becomes available.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

African countries are responding to the spread of the COVID-19 virus with policies ranging from arrival screening to quarantine to travel bans. Below are the travel policies for Ghana, Kenya, Niger and South Africa.

Country	Travel ban	Screening	Quarantine	Affected nationals	Quarantine period
Ghana	No travel ban or blanket restriction.	Intensified screening and thermal scanning of all travelers at all ports of entry. Individuals exhibiting symptoms and who have been to one of the high-risk countries or have been exposed to the virus are quarantined immediately.	Currently, individuals who report general symptoms of influenza at hospitals are advised to self-quarantine at home for 14 days while doctors conduct further tests. Those exhibiting symptoms and have been exposed to the virus or have been to any of the high-risk countries (China, France, Italy, Japan or South Korea are quarantined at a government facility.	All travelers	2-14 days
Kenya	No official notice on travel bans, but the government has issued several advisories for Kenyans traveling out of the country and posted banners at all entry points sensitizing travelers on how to protect themselves and manage COVID-19.	Standard screening is conducted at all points of entry. Every traveler is required to fill out a travel history form before being cleared to proceed. Port Health is trained with test kits and on standby. Suspected cases are reported and referred to Kenyatta National Hospital.	Quarantine is at government health facilities and one hospital has been set up as an isolation facility. Individuals are also being asked to self-quarantine based on their travel history.	All travelers	14 days
Niger	No official notice of travel bans.	Protected measures as recommended by the World Health Organization are being taken as a precaution. Each flight is routinely checked. If an anomaly is detected, the passenger is immediately quarantined.	Quarantine is within the airport by the health authorities until tests are carried out.	All travelers	To be confirmed.
South Africa	No official notice of travel bans.	All inbound passengers are subject to thermal screening and required to fill out a medical questionnaire.	Military nurses at ports of entry conduct exams, if necessary. If exam raises concern, traveler is taken to hospital.	All travelers

Analysis & Comments: Travelers should check the policies for their destination country before travel, including any travel bans, as the situation is fluid and policies may change with little notice.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.