Thandeka Dlamini

After the OR Tambo International Airport’s compliance inspection, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula said international travel will soon be permitted.

Mbalula was checking the Airport’s compliance to COVID-19 regulations after complaints that some airlines were not observing regulations. He said the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) was considering opening borders.

DUT Child and Youth Care graduate, Sinothile Buthelezi who is currently in Seattle, Washington said transport minister along with NCCC needed to carefully reconsider the uplifting of the ban on international travel as it may be risky

“I miss home, but opening the borders now may result in worsened second wave hit of COVID-19,” said Buthelezi.

The BBC reported significantly high surge of coronavirus related cases in about 42 regions.  Included in the “red zones-highly affected” were France, Paris, Lyon, Czech and almost the entire Mediterranean coastline. France leaping past 10 000 cases a day in what is reported to be their “second wave hit” after easing their restrictions.

Nokwanda Mthethwa, a hair business owner said uplifting the ban may be risky but she has been waiting for it as her business has been barely surviving. Mthethwa said she is unable to travel to other countries and advertise her business.

Mthethwa said seeing what other countries have been through, the NCCC would have to put in place strict precautionary measures to regulate the borders.

Picture: thesouthafrican.com