As of 15 March 2020 there are a total of 51 confirmed cases of the #coronavirus in South Africa.

All confirmed cases was transmitted in other countries to people that returned to South Africa. No local transmission have taken place thus far (15 March 2020)

With the March school holidays only a week away, many people have already made plans and booked accommodation for the holiday period. Our advice is to delay the holiday if possible. However if you do intend traveling for whatever reason here are some tips to consider before going to the airport or gearing up for the long road.

Air travel in South Africa during the corona virus pandemic

1. Avoid unnecessary contact at the airport
   As every case of the corona virus in South Africa has come through our international airports one needs to be particularly careful when traveling by air. Ensure that you avoid physical contact at airports and try to keep a safe distance between yourself and other travelers or staff.
2. Use the toilet before leaving home
   Have something to eat and use the toilet before leaving your home and again on arrival at your destination. Avoid using public toilets or having something to eat at a restaurant or shop.
3. Keep your hands to yourself on the airplane
   While extra measures have been taken by some airliners in cleaning planes between flights it is difficult to ensure that every centimeter of the plane is covered. Try to keep your hands to yourself while in flight.
4. Try to sit with your family
   When seats have not been reserved, request that you and your family can be seated together if seating is available.
5. Use gloves to receive your baggage
   At the baggage carousel, use gloves to remove you bag and sanitize your hands as often as possible.
6. Use a face mask and hand sanitizer
   Although face masks do not provide much protection they do have some benefit in reducing the risk of infection and transmission. Keeping your hands clean is more important so ensure that you carry hand sanitizer and use it after any interaction with people or objects or every 30 minutes.
7. Clean your hotel room
   While some establishments may be taking extra precautions there is no harm in doing some extra cleaning. Wipe all often used surfaces with anti bacterial wet wipes or hand sanitizer. Take your own bedding and remove the bedding and pillow cases provided by the establishment as this can carry lots of germs.

Road travel in South Africa during the corona virus pandemic

Preparation is key to traveling by road.

Even though we expect the roads to be less busy since the outbreak is starting to get worst in South Africa there will still be many people traveling during the school holidays.

1. Take your own padkos
   This may be considered old school but it is the safest choice under the circumstances to avoid having to go into crowded shops or having to use the card machines. Prepare your own padkos and take ample liquids that can last the entire journey.
2. Take a break at random places
   The recommended break interval for long distance driving is 2 hours or 200km. Instead of stopping at the filling station for a break rather stop on the highway at a random place and not at designated rest stops which could have been used by other travelers.
3. Avoid filling stations on the national highway.
   Instead of using the petrol stations on the N2 we recommended that you go into the suburbs and use the local filling stations instead.
4. Perform Salaah in the Masjid
   We often perform Salaah at the filling stations along the national highway when traveling.  Almost all smaller towns in South Africa have a Musalla / Jamaat Khana or Masjid so with a little planning and a 10 minute detour one can comfortably use the toilet, wudhu facilities and perform salaah in these area. Check and estimate the Salaah times of the areas that you will be traveling to.
5. Use the toilets at the Masjid
   As stated above, make use of the Musallas / Jamaat Khanas, Masjids or Filling stations in the suburbs when needing to go to the toilet. Avoid using toilets at the major filling stations on the national highway.
6. Wash your hands
   Before returning to your vehicle ensure that you wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
7. Clean your hotel room
   While some establishments may be taking extra precautions there is no harm in doing some extra cleaning. Wipe all often used surfaces with anti bacterial wet wipes or hand sanitizer. Take your own bedding and remove the bedding and pillow cases provided by the establishment as this can carry lots of germs.
   

   You may also contact your accommodation provider before hand to request more information regarding extra precautions taken due to the pandemic.

Perform two rakaats before traveling requesting Allah to keep you and your family safe and then put your trust in Allah.

Use the traveler emergency contacts if required.

Once again, the wisest choice would be to delay all travels to a later part of the year when the pandemic has blown over.

[EDIT] The president of South Africa has confirmed that there are now 61 confirmed cases.

President #Ramaphosa: As of now, South Africa has 61 confirmed cases of people infected with the virus, and this number is expected to rise in the coming days and weeks.
#CoronaVirusSA

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) March 15, 2020