Air France has resumed its South African flight schedule, however, passengers will need to provide a valid reason to travel and will have to quarantine for 10 days.
The direct flights between and Johannesburg resumed on Saturday, December 4 after a nine-day suspension due to the Omicron variant, reports Business Insider.
Also read: Repatriation flights between the UK and SA to resume on Tuesday
France, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany and most European nations put a ban on flights departing from South Africa and other neighbouring countries.
According to IOL, Cape Town flights resumed today, December 6, from CDG – CPT, on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday while flights from CPT–CDG will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Following the cancellation of flights from South Africa on Saturday, November 27, and Sunday, November 28, Air France confirmed that the new regulations that were issued by the French government came into effect on December 4.
Also read: United Airlines resume direct flights between Cape Town and New York after a 20-month hiatus
SA has been labelled as the “Scarlet Red Zone” country, along with Botswana, Eswatini, Mauritius, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Regardless of their vaccination status, travellers need to provide a valid reason to travel. Only French nationals and nationals of the European Union (EU) and their spouses are allowed to enter France.
Other travellers allowed are those who hold a long-stay visa to visit family or reunification of refugee families, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and stateless persons.
Working in the land, sea, and air transport sector is also regarded as a compelling reason. This also applies to those on duty with a diplomatic mission or an international organisation with headquarters or offices in France.
These travellers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to boarding and again on arrival in France. The list of valid reasons from travel outside of France does not include reasons such as a holiday abroad.
Air France will operate daily flights between Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo.
Also read:
Flights from Cape Town to Amsterdam sees 61 passengers test positive for COVID-19
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