Republic of South Africa travel advisories

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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Safety Information
Travel advisories Updated on July 1, 2025, 4:19 a.m.
2
Stop all non-essential travel

The following information has been provided by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The information is subject to change without notice. This is not a comprehensive list, and you are urged to check the most up-to-date information and details.

Table of contents

Entry information for travelers from Japan

No information available

COVID-19 risks

Oct. 19, 2022, midnight

In light of the general improvement in the global infection situation and the fact that the G7 countries have already canceled the designation of levels by country and region, all the new coronavirus infectious disease risk information was issued on October 19. The world is uniformly set to level 1 (please be careful).

Aug. 24, 2022, midnight

On August 24, the infectious disease risk information for 41 countries was changed from level 3 (recommendation to avoid travel) to level 2 (please refrain from non-essential travel), and the infectious disease risk information for 55 countries/regions was changed to level 2. The level has been lowered from (Please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent travel) to Level 1 (Please be careful).

July 25, 2022, midnight

On July 23, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern." According to the WHO, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox infection in 75 countries and regions have been reported so far, and the infection is spreading worldwide.

July 1, 2022, midnight

Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the risk of death and aggravation has decreased, and deregulation at the water's edge and in Japan has also been seen, especially in countries where vaccination is progressing worldwide. I'm on the way. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.

May 26, 2022, midnight

Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the number of new infections and deaths is declining worldwide, and the risk of death and aggravation is mainly in countries where vaccination is progressing. Is declining, and regulations are being relaxed at the water's edge and in Japan. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.

April 1, 2022, midnight

The level of infectious disease risk information should be reviewed after comprehensively considering the actual situation of each country / region, such as the number of newly infected people in each country / region, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures. It was made. As a result, infectious disease risk information has been reduced from Level 3 "Recommendation for suspension of travel" to Level 2 "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" in 106 countries.

Nov. 29, 2021, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.

Aug. 13, 2021, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.

May 18, 2021, midnight

Coronavirus infections are still spreading worldwide, with more than 160 million confirmed infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although the number of infected people is decreasing in North America and Europe, the situation continues to require caution, such as the remarkable spread of infection in South Asia.
Based on this situation, the infectious disease risk information level in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Thailand, East Timor, and Mongolia has been newly set to Level 2 by comprehensively considering various situations including the deterioration of the infection situation. "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" has been raised to Level 3 "Travel Cancellation Recommendation".

Oct. 30, 2020, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.

Local and national news

Information for the past 30 days.

Rabies Alert (Updated)

May 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)
Updated information on rabies.
Although there are no unusual circumstances such as an increase in the number of cases, rabies is still occurring around the world, mainly in Asia and Africa, so please continue to be vigilant.

[Wide Area Information] Warning about international romance scams

April 30, 2025, midnight wide area information
We would like to warn you about international romance scams.

Warning about the smuggling of illegal drugs (marijuana, etc.)

April 30, 2025, midnight wide area information
We would like to warn you about the smuggling of illegal drugs (marijuana, etc.).

Caution regarding measles overseas during the Golden Week holidays

April 25, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)
● Measles outbreaks have been reported overseas.
● If you are planning to travel abroad during the long holiday period, please check the relevant information again.

Alert regarding Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

April 24, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)
● Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a severe respiratory infection, has been occurring sporadically in the Middle East.
● When visiting the Middle East, please take sufficient precautions to avoid infection.

Travel advisories from local embassies and consulates

Information from the past two weeks.

Caution regarding use of ride-hailing services

June 21, 2025, 12:15 a.m.
[Main text]
1 Some media in South Africa have reported a series of troubles involving the use of ride-hailing services. There have also been reports of users being forced by drivers to withdraw money from ATMs, being harmed and killed, or going missing (although there have also been reports of drivers becoming victims). There have also been reports of drivers using false identification when registering with ride-hailing service providers, or lending their accounts to other people to drive, making it difficult to judge the reliability of drivers.

2. Please note that public transport such as trains, buses and minibuses pose the risk of being victimised by robbery or pickpocketing not only inside the vehicle but also when getting on and off.

3. In this regard, please take note of the following points and take safety measures.
(1) Whenever possible, secure a reliable means of transportation, such as a private car.
(2) When using a ride-hailing service, make sure that the license plate number and driver of the vehicle requested in the ride-hailing app are the same as those of the vehicle that actually arrives. Also, try to ride with multiple people whenever possible.
(3) Avoid using public transport such as trains, buses, minibuses, etc. Tourist trains such as the Gautrain and the Blue Train, which connect Johannesburg Airport with Johannesburg and Pretoria, are considered relatively safe, but be aware of the risk of theft from cars parked on the street near train stations and street robberies around train stations.

4. If you are involved in an incident or accident, please file a report with the police and contact the Embassy with a summary of the incident.

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