Transport minister Fikile Mbalula says his department will work with industry to ensure that South Africa successfully reopens for international travel.
Presenting is departmental budget speech on Friday (21 May), Mbalula said that South Africa must ensure that it joins the growing number of countries that accepts the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) mobile travel pass.
This particular initiative was successfully tested by Singapore Airlines, and more than 20 carriers, he said.
“In recent months, Singapore has announced that it will accept visitors who use a mobile travel passes containing digital certificates for Covid-19 tests and vaccines,” Mbalula said.
“This makes Singapore one of the first countries to adopt this initiative. Singapore will accept the IATA mobile travel pass for pre-departure checks, where travellers can get clearance to fly to and enter Singapore by showing a smartphone application containing their data from accredited laboratories.”
The International Air Transport Association’s app is a digital solution that can be used by people to store Covid test results from accredited laboratories.