South Africa reopens its land borders as COVID-19 cases decline
South Africa has reopened its major land borders with neighboring countries after closing them last month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
At least 20 border posts reopened on Monday (Feb 15), with officials saying steps will be taken to avoid tightly-packed crowds of travellers gathering at immigration posts, which would spread the virus.
Home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who is to inspect the reopening of the Lebombo border post with Mozambique on Monday, said South Africa is working with neighboring countries to ensure simpler movements of people.
Other border posts to be reopened include the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe and crossing points with Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland).
Before the borders were closed in January, there were reports of problems at the immigration offices, including travelers using fake COVID-19 tests.
“We appeal to travelers to ensure that they have all the requisite travel documents, including valid COVID-19 tests, when they present themselves to officials at our borders," said Motsoaledi.
Anyone caught at a border post with a fake COVID-19 certificate will be barred from visiting South Africa for a period of at least five years, Motsoaledi said.
South Africa has seen a decline in new COVID-19 infections, leading the country to lift some of its stricter lockdown regulations like the closure of land borders.
The emergence of the new 501Y.V2 variant has damaged the country's tourism with some countries and airlines restricting flights from South Africa.
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