After a threat of legal action, the government has eased coronavirus travel restrictions slightly to enable 'locked in' South Africans to get on with their studies and livelihoods.
The family reunion concession is believed to apply only to family members who have been separated form each other, not a general concession.
“The current lockdown regulations and directives provide that citizens who are dual citizens or have families abroad or are permanent residents abroad and in possession of work visas are free to travel, whereas a citizen who is not a permanent resident but has a valid work or study visa may not leave without special permission.
Mishalee Brits said she represented 166 South Africans who lived and work in Hong Kong but had been prevented from leaving South Africa. She said two years ago her husband received a job offer in Hong Kong.”So we packed up our whole life and we moved to Hong Kong. It’s now our primary residence and how we provide for our family. We have nothing left in South Africa. No house, no car, no medical aid. Returning is not an option because our whole life is there now.
She said her health insurance, her phone contract and her housing contract were all in South Korea and she would now go into arrears as she was not there to pay for all of that. “I’m going to become a criminal there if I don’t pay for those.” And she said her work contract would also lapse in June if she didn’t make it back. And then she would also lose her visa.
Aileen Swan said her husband was an airline captain who had signed a contract to start work with a Japanese airline on June 1. “I also represent roughly 350 people who are trying to get out to Asia as well as 500 that are trying to get to China” Kristin Harmuth, a commercial seafarer representing just under 100 seafarers, said international organisations such as the United Nations, International Maritime Organisation and International Labour Organisation had all exempted seafarers from coronavirus travel restrictions. “If we are not able to leave the country as soon as possible hundreds of us will be losing our jobs. So we’re desperate to get back to work.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Certain categories of South Africans to be allowed to return to countries where they are basedCertain categories of South Africans will be allowed to return to countries where they are based, home affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Saturday.
Read more »
Home Affairs approves essential travel for South Africans to other countriesFor enquiries call 0800 60 11 90
Read more »
Home Affairs approves essential travel for South Africans to other countries
Read more »
OPINION | It's time for the government to trust South Africans to make informed decisions
Read more »
SA lockdown: South Africans employed abroad go to courtA group representing around 3,500 South Africans employed abroad has made an urgent application for an interdict against the South African government.
Read more »
Certain categories of South Africans to be allowed to return to countries where they are basedHe said that after consultations with the department of international relations and co-operation and the national coronavirus command council, he had approved essential travel for South Africans wanting to return to countries where they are based.
Read more »