• SAA values safety and in keeping you safe during the COVID -19 pandemic, we have the following measures and protocols in place:

    All of the air in our Airbus cabins are on average completely changed every 3 minutes - even after taking account filtered and recirculated air. The air in Airbus aircraft cabins passes through extremely efficient filters, which remove particles in the air down to the size of microscopic bacteria and virus clusters such as the MERS (Corona virus) and Wuhan Corona virus with extremely high efficiency (with an efficiency of better than 99.99 per cent). These filters – called High-Efficiency-Particulate Arrestors (HEPA) – have been shown in tests to provide air that meets the standards set for hospital operating theatres.

    In addition:

    • Our aircraft are deep cleaned regularly and the cleaning regime pays attention to common touch areas such as seatbelts, overhead bin closures and bathrooms areas
    • All passengers are encouraged to hand sanitize at all our touch points prior to boarding the aircraft and additional sanitizers are loaded on board should it be required
    • Although wearing of a mask is no longer mandatory our ground crew and cabin crew are encouraged to continue wearing masks covering nose and mouth

    PASSENGER RESPONSIBILITIES

    Although not mandatory, our passengers are encouraged to continue the wearing of masks or face coverings that cover their noses and mouths whilst in an airport or on board an aircraft.

    It is recommended that once a mask is dampened by secretions or contaminated by other contaminants, they should be replaced with new ones, and hands sanitised.

    Visit sacoronavirus.co.za for more information.

  • When planning your next holiday, please check all the health entry requirements for your intended destination. Due to high incidents of yellow fever and other infectious illnesses, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa has introduced a strict programme to control the spread of these diseases. Warnings have been issued to all border officials and foreign affairs missions to enforce stricter control.
     
    Please note: yellow fever vaccination is now valid for life in South Africa.
     
    According to International Health Regulations 2005, a valid international yellow fever certificate is required for all travellers:
     
    • Over the age of 1 year old
    • Travelling from a yellow fever risk country or
    • Having been in transit for 12 hours or more at an airport in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
     
    Travellers who are unable to produce a valid international certificate of vaccination on arrival in South Africa will either be:
     
    • Placed under quarantine surveillance until their certificate becomes valid or a period not more than 6 days OR
    • Refused entry into South Africa. 
    • Please note that travellers in transit in Dakar and Accra (not leaving the aircraft), do not require a certificate.
     
    A yellow fever certificate becomes valid and offers protection 10 days after the date of vaccination.
    Travellers from Zambia, Tanzania, Eritrea, Somalia, Sao Tome and Principe are no longer required to produce a yellow fever certificate when coming to South Africa since those countries are now on the World Health Organization’s low risk list.
     
    If in doubt as to whether a yellow fever vaccine is required, or to make an appointment for a vaccination, please contact any SA Netcare Travel Clinic branch. 
     
    List of Countries for which a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into South Africa: Last update 2017.
     

    Africa

    Africa

    Central and South America

    Angola

    Guinea

    Argentina

    Benin

    Guinea Bisau

    Bolivia

    Ethiopia

    Kenya

    Brazil

    Burundi

    Liberia

    Colombia

    Cameroon

    Mali

    Ecuador

    Central African Republic

    Muritania

    French Guiana

    Chad

    Niger

    Guyana

    Congo

    Rwanda

    Panama

    Cote D’Ivoire

    Senegal

    Paraguay

    Democratic Republic of Congo

    Sierra Leone

    Peru

    Equatorial Guinea

    Southern Sudan

    Suriname

    Gabon

    Sudan

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Gambia

    Togo

    Venezuela

    Ghana

    Uganda

     

     

    Nigeria

     

    Low Yellow Fever Virus risk countries: Eritrea, Sao Tome, Somalia, Tanzania, and Zambia.

    It is advisable to ensure your yellow fever vaccination certificate is up-to-date and valid before travelling to, via or from any of these countries.

    About Yellow fever

    This is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. It occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa and Tropical South America and has an incubation period of 3 to 5 days. Signs and symptoms include fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and in toxic phase with severe fever and several body systems affected, including liver failure and jaundice.     

    SAA has co-operated with the South African Department of Health and International Health Regulations to produce this information. SAA is in no way responsible for the Regulations. New amendments or regulations will be updated from time to time, however, SAA accept no liability for any inaccuracies in the content.

     

  • Malaria kills more than 1 million people each year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. It causes symptoms that typically include fever and headache, which in severe cases can progress to coma or death.
     
    Symptoms may develop as soon as seven days after arrival in a malarial area or up to 9 months after leaving such an area. Symptoms may often be mild in the initial stages:
     
    • Generalised body ache
    • Headache
    • Cough
    • Fever
    • Diarrhoea
     
    It is advisable to start using prophylactic medicines before visiting a malarial area. Please consult your medical practitioner or nearest travel clinic about the type and use of these medications:
     
    • Doxicycline
    • Malanil
    • Mefliam
    • Malarone
    • Primaquine
     
    It is also advisable to consult your General Practitioners or nearest travel clinic.
  • Ebola is considered low risk to South Africa.  

    Read more

  • Disinsection is permitted under international law in order to protect public health, agriculture and the environment. The World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization stipulate two approaches for aircraft disinsection– (1) spray the aircraft cabin with an aerosolized insecticide while passengers are on board or (2) or spray or treat the aircraft's interior surfaces with a residual insecticide (residual method) while passengers are not on board.

    Please visit: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/spray for additional information.

     

  • Loosen your muscles and joints with these simple stretches. You can perform them in your seat, but make sure it is in the upright position. Remember to respect the personal space of fellow travellers.
     
    • Feet: Circle your feet at the ankles - 20 times per foot.
    • Legs: Starting with your feet on the floor, bring your legs slowly up towards your chest, as far as you can. Relax them slowly, and repeat three times.
    • Knees: Press the knees and thighs together, and tighten buttock muscles. Hold to the count of 5, and repeat 5 times.
    • Hands: Grip the edge of your armrest, and hold to a count of 5 then relax. Repeat 10 times.
    • Arms: Starting with your arms outstretched, flex at the elbow, and bring them slowly into your chest. Extend them again, and repeat 5 times.
    • Shoulders: Hunch up your shoulders, hold and slowly relax. Repeat 5 times.
    • Neck: Move your head slowly towards your right shoulder and hold. Then towards your left shoulder and hold. Move your chin slowly down towards your chest - hold and relax. Repeat 3 times.

    We recommend these exercise tips to help you to stay healthy whilst flying, particularly on longer trips.