There have, to date, been no cases of the coronavirus (known as 2019-nCoV) in South Africa, according to a statement from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
An emergency operations centre is, however, on high alert mode and could be activated should the need arise.
Local airports are not yet screening for the coronavirus in South Africa but will implement additional safety measures should the current situation change.
In the interim, Betty Maloka, OR Tambo International Airport spokesperson, encourages passengers to keep in touch with their airlines regarding travel health and safety advice.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the SA Department of Health are in constant contact with global health authorities. In a statement sent to eTNW, SACAA guarantees that all role players, including airports and airlines, will comply with applicable regulations whenever there is a confirmed outbreak.
The Department of Health says it has measures in place to detect, manage and contain any cases of novel coronavirus should it come to South African shores.
“So far, there are no reported cases. Port health professionals routinely conduct temperature screening for all international travellers. However, due to the current risk of cases of 2019-nCoV from Wuhan, port health authorities have enhanced surveillance of all travellers from Asia. OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports are the only ports of entry with direct flights from Asia.”
Popo Maja, spokesperson for the Department of Health, says activated outbreak response teams are on high alert and stationed in all South African provinces.
