Cape Town to take up red list issue with UK high commissioner
23 September 2021
I have been in constant communication with UK government officials about South Africa’s continued inclusion on the travel red list and will now escalate this matter with their high commissioner.
I will make clear that Cape Town is destination-ready and that we have a thorough and successful vaccine rollout.
Around 1 655 800 jabs have been administered at the 65 vaccination sites across the city.
With the vaccines now widely available, the people of Cape Town have shown up for their communities by getting their loved ones, neighbours or friends to vaccination sites or sharing information on where and how to quickly get jabbed.
One such major vaccination site is the Athlone Stadium Vaccination Centre of Hope, where people can simply walk in or drive through. And last week I visited one of Cape Town’s biggest call centres, which is vaccinating staff at their workplace - just one of numerous employers doing this.
The UK government’s reasoning – the Beta variant that was first identified in South Africa - frankly does not make sense. No Beta cases have been reported in South Africa this month with the Delta variant dominant locally – as it is in the UK and most of the world.
Of course, the impact of the red list on South Africa’s economy is devastating with an estimated R26 million in much-needed revenue being lost every single day.
The Mother City has long been a favourite destination for British travellers. In 2019, readers of Britain’s Telegraph newspaper voted Cape Town their favourite city in the world for a seventh consecutive year. This month, Travel + Leisure magazine’s global audience rated ours the best city in Africa and the Middle East and the 25th best in the world.
With a variety of cultures and cuisine, natural beauty, and some of the best wines in the world, it’s clear why the Mother City is so loved!
Should the UK announce that South Africa is off the list, our Destination Marketing Organisation, Cape Town Tourism, is ready to hit the ground running with the ‘Find Your Freedom’ marketing campaign in international media, online, and in prime locations including London. We will also partner with top airlines to share the campaign on their flights.
Our points of entry are ready to welcome passengers. Cape Town International Airport – the best in Africa – boasts a new electronic checking system making it easier to process passengers. The city also has a world-class cruise terminal at the V&A Waterfront outfitted with top-class equipment and staff, customs facilities, immigration desks, passenger infrastructure, restaurants, and baggage handling services.
I implore the UK government to base its actions in this regard on science and reason.
Remove South Africa from the red list and allow British travellers to visit their favourite holiday destination. Let's gets this done before it's too late.
Issued by Media Office, City of Cape Town, 23 September 2021
