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South Africa geared up for lockdown level 4 on 1 May. The change from level 5 to level 4 was enacted to allow some economic activity to commence, meaning some businesses would be allowed to start running again if they met specific health regulations laid out by the government.
The Gautrain is one of many businesses that have begun providing services again. In order to ensure that the business adheres to government regulations, they have placed hand sanitisers at all entrances, indicators on the ground which encourage individuals to keep distance from each other, as well as thermal screening cameras which help detect high temperatures.
Tshepo Kgobe, the Acting COO of Gautrain, adds that there is a sanitising tunnel that passengers walk through prior to entering Gautrain stations, which ensures that individuals’ clothes are disinfected. In addition to this, passengers and workers will be expected to wear masks at all times and Gautrain will provide masks to those who do not have any. Social distancing is also encouraged on platforms and in trains, with trains operating at only 40% capacity.
The repatriation of SA citizens
Des Latham, an aviation expert, says that there may be 3000 South Africans stranded worldwide, although the number could be as many as 10 000.
While the government is working on bringing some citizens back, mercy flights are complicated as they involve a lot of red tape, especially in the current climate where most countries have closed borders to international travel.
Latham states that a recent repatriation effort by the South African government included the identification of 1000 plane seats by SAA and Home Affairs. The process involved citizens stranded abroad going onto the SAA website in order to fill in their details and be considered for a flight back home. The list was monitored by SAA, the Department of Health and Home Affairs. Citizens also had to fill in their ID numbers and pay R15 000 for the flight, after which they would then be eligible to fly out of Miami in America to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Latham adds that if an individual hasn’t already been placed on this list, it is too late to apply as the last flight is on 10 May. Despite this, the government is expected to restart its repatriation efforts in the future.
When asked who bears the cost of mercy flights, Latham said they were being funded by SAA in conjunction with the government, with passengers being expected to pay the difference.
There is no priority list for these flights, although essential workers and those with young children may be considered first. Elderly people are strongly advised against flying for their health. South African citizens who are repatriated are expected to undergo a 14-day quarantine in Johannesburg.
