The first repatriation flight for foreign nationals departing from the Western Cape, will take place today (Friday, 3 April) from 15h00 from Cape Town. Only foreign nationals who have made the necessary arrangements with their consulates or embassies and have the needed paperwork, including an air ticket, will be allowed to leave the country.

Foreign nationals who do not have the necessary paperwork will not be accommodated and are urged to contact their embassies or consulates with any questions or concerns.

The repatriation will be coordinated from the Cape Town stadium precinct in Greenpoint from where chartered vehicles will transport passengers to the Cape Town International Airport. All passengers will be subjected to the necessary COVID-19 screening protocols prior to departure.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, says the Provincial Joint Operations Centre (JOC) along with several other partners in provincial and national government, has been working hard over the past week to make the necessary arrangements.

“The national lockdown happened with short notice and consequently many foreign passengers were stranded and unable to return home. Multiple agencies overseen by the national government have worked to make the arrangements needed to make this happen. The flights will be operated by South African Airways. The first flight will leave today for Germany. We want to thank all the local role-players in particular Cape Town Stadium and their staff for the efforts to make this possible in such a short time. We want to wish the travellers well and Godspeed.”

Issued by Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning