As the spread of COVID-19 seems to be on the rise, Indian travellers are likely to be barred from entering South Africa.
The African nation is all set to lower its restrictions and resume international travel from October 1. However, the South African government is in two minds regarding the inclusion of two BRICS partners, India and Brazil, on the list of countries that could be restricted. Both the countries have high levels of infections, with the US being the only country above them in terms of cases reported.
The list of countries who will face restrictions in entering South Africa is expected to be finalised by early next week. The UK and France are the other countries that could feature in the list.
Last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had invited tourists to the country while announcing the lowering of the lockdown to level one, the lowest in the government&rsquos five-level strategy. Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane had later announced that guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation will be used to determine which countries would be allowed to send visitors when international travel resumes next month.
Currently, India has bilateral air bubble arrangements with 13 countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, UAE, UK, and the US. However, international flights in India will remain suspended till September 30.