Ebola travel advisory and definition of essential travel

As a follow up to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Health meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 6th of August, 2014 the SADC Health Ministers met to review progress and address issues that had arisen since the last meeting, such as challenges brought about by movement of people and goods across the region. The meeting was held in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe, on the 4th and 5th of September 2014.

The Ministers adopted a Common Regional Position on the movement of persons and goods from Ebola affected countries. Ministers approved the following restrictions on movement of people in line with the International Health Regulations IHR (2005), to contain the disease at source:

a. People who have a history of coming into close contact with infected people and infected dead bodies or people and infected animals from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) should be quarantined in country for a period of up to 21 days;

b. People who are coming from Ebola affected countries should be subjected to exit screening;

c. People who are entering a country from an affected country as defined and advised by WHO, are to be subjected to screening and are to be followed up for a period of 21 days. If it is absolutely essential for them to leave before completion of the 21 day period, the next country should be notified and should continue with the surveillance for the remaining period;

d. Member States should discourage their citizens from travelling to affected countries / high risk areas and their trips to be postponed for as long as it is possible;

e. Member States are to avoid hosting mass gatherings involving people from affected countries unless it is absolutely essential;

f. An active surveillance and notification system is recommended for adoption across SADC Member States.

South Africa is in full agreement with the SADC position and in line with these recommendations put in place some travel measures that will enable the better management of the situation. Since the Cabinet decision on the 20 August 2014, more than 320 travel applications from high risk countries have been processed of which less than five were turned down as non-essential. Types of essential travel that are being considered include:

Table of types of essential travel, the documentation needed, process of verification and the determining official

For all travel related queries contact:

National Health Operation Centre (NATHOC) Surveillance Desk
Tel: 012 395 9636/7
E-mail: NATHOC1@health.gov.za or NATHOC2@health.gov.za
Fax: 086 662 0166