Republic of Cyprus
High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in Pretoria

General Advice for Cypriot Visitors to South Africa



GENERAL ADVICE FOR CYPRIOTS VISITING SOUTH AFRICA




A. BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Before your trip, it is strongly recommended that you familiarize yourself with South Africa (or any other country of the Southern African Region). You can always obtain the relevant information from your travel agent, the Cyprus High Commission and from the Internet.

It is recommended to obtain and keep, at all times, the addresses and telephone numbers of the Cypriot High Commission, in order to be able to contact the relevant person in case of a real emergency, such as theft or the loss of documents (passport), serious illness or injury, detention/arrest or death.

Please note that in countries where the Republic of Cyprus does not have Diplomatic or Consular representation, European consular assistance can be requested by applying for help to an Embassy or Consulate (not an Honorary Consulate) of another EU Member State.

Be aware that such consular assistance is strictly limited to genuine emergencies only i.e.: accidents involving serious injury or serious illness, arrest or detention, repatriation on medical grounds and death. The loss of a Cypriot passport/travel document is also considered a genuine emergency. More information is provided in the website of the European Commission – DG Justice: http://ec.europa.eu/consularprotection/index.action

Parents travelling with a minor will have to have the birth certificate of the minor with Apostille seal, translated into English if the birth certificate is not in the English language, when travelling to South Africa.



THE CYPRUS HIGH COMMISSION CAN:

• Assist you in cases of death, serious accident or serious illness, while abroad;
• issue to you a temporary travel document (laissez passer), should your passport be lost or stolen, report loss or theft of a Cypriot Passport at the
local Police station and present the original to the Cyprus High Commission
• furnish you with a list of local doctors, lawyers and translators;
• help you to contact a person in Cyprus, who can give you the help you need;
• assist persons arrested, or detained;
• in exceptional circumstances advance funds to allow for your repatriation. This assistance can be offered after you, or your family / friends, have
signed a relevant form (Assumption of Responsibility) by which they undertake the responsibility to reimburse the Government of the Republic of
Cyprus;
• provide civil registry and notary services, legalize documents and forward applications and other papers to the competent Cypriot authorities (e.g.
passport applications).




THE CYPRUS HIGH COMMISSION CANNOT:

• Intervene in any private business dispute (e.g. matters related to travelling,
banks, insurance, etc.) nor pay your bills (hotel, medical bills, fines, legal aid, etc);
• intervene in court operation and police if you have infringed the local laws
(e.g. it cannot arrange for you to be released from prison or intervene in the
judicial proceedings);
• provide legal advice for any reason whatsoever;
• find accommodation for you or help you to find a job or obtain a work permit;
• obtain an extension of your visa, residence or work permit;
• obtain preferential treatment for you in hospitals during
imprisonment /detention or during a visit (as a tourist), than the one offered to
the nationals of the host country.




Visas
Cypriot Citizens visiting South Africa on holiday for less than 30 days do not require visas. After entry, an extension of stay can be sought from the Department of Home Affairs.


Passports
You should ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your intended date of departure from the Republic of South Africa.
It is advisable to take a few photocopies of your passport with you and leave a copy in Cyprus with a relative. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.



WARNING: EU CITIZENS TRAVELLING TO SOUTH AFRICA WITHOUT AT LEAST TWO BLANK PAGES IN THEIR PASSPORTS - OR WITH PASSPORTS WHICH ARE DAMAGED IN ANY WAY - WILL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN AUTHORITIES.



THE CYPRUS HIGH COMMISSION CANNOT ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY IF YOU ARE REFUSED ENTRY FOR THE ABOVE REASONS.



Health Precautions
It is strongly recommended to inquire about health care in the Republic of South Africa (or any other country of the Southern African Region) and to obtain information regarding possible vaccinations required and other health advice.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for all passengers over one year of age who arrive or are transiting through South Africa, from a country or region listed by the World Health Organization as infected by yellow fever. South African authorities will require all travellers arriving from countries with high infected or low infected areas to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, including travellers transiting through South Africa. Travellers unable to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival in South Africa may be refused entry or placed in quarantine. There is no discretion for travellers without a vaccination certificate to be vaccinated on arrival. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus provides a list of yellow fever declared countries.

Before travelling abroad, you should consult your doctor to discuss known or possible health risks.

Please note, that many diseases (cholera, dysentery, etc.) can be contracted from the consumption of contaminated food or water, mainly in areas with poor standards of hygiene. If you are travelling to such areas, please, avoid row food (e.g. dairy products, salads, seafood) and always prefer bottled water.


Malaria
Malaria is prevalent in parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo province and KwaZulu-Natal (particularly the Wetlands area around St Lucia). Before travelling to these areas, including Kruger Park, you should seek medical advice on suitable anti-malarial medication and take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.



Cholera
There are periodic outbreaks of cholera in rural South Africa, especially in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. You are advised to maintain a high level of personal hygiene and drink only bottled water if travelling in these areas. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to South Africa you should seek immediate medical attention.






Travel Insurance
Before you travel, you are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance and to ascertain if the travel package covers death, health expenses, accidents (car insurance), unexpected losses (e.g. for cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passports or luggage) as well as a possible repatriation.

Please, note that Cypriot citizens who are entitled to receive free medical care at the Governmental Hospitals in Cyprus and who are traveling to an EU member state, are entitled to receive emergency medical treatment (“medically necessary treatment in order to continue their journey in a healthy condition”) on the same basis with a national of that country. This of course does not apply in third countries and the Cyprus Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses there.




B. WHILE YOU ARE ABROAD



Safety and Security
South Africa is a very beautiful country with an excellent climate and many places of interest. South Africa caters to all tourists needs it is a country that is very welcoming to its visitors but tourists should bear in mind that the country has a very high level of crime and should at all times be aware of their surroundings and be cautious of where and with whom they travel.
Incidents of vehicle hi-jacking and robbery are common. You should be vigilant of the risks, particularly if driving after dark. Keep to main roads; park in well - lit areas.
South Africa’s main cities, like other major international cities, have specific risk areas that should be avoided.
Do not pick up strangers. Do not stop to assist apparently distressed motorists, as this is a technique sometimes used by hijackers. It is better to report the incident to the police.
Avoid walking alone anywhere, especially in remote areas. Call the police (on 10111 or on 112 from a mobile phone) at the first sign of a threat.
Mobile phone reception is generally good in major towns and cities but can be intermittent in more remote spots.


Essential Numbers for Cypriot Visitors while in South Africa

South African Police Service 10111
General Ambulance Number 10177
Fire Brigade 10111
Emergency Call from Mobile Phone 112
Cape Town Emergency 107
Cape Town Emergency (from mobile) +27 (0)21 480 7700




Durban Health
Addington Hospital +27 (0)31 327 2000
Netcare Parklands Hospital +27 (0)31 242 4000
King Edward VIII Hospital +27 (0)31 360 3111
Crompton Hospital +27 (0)31 702 0777
Cape Town Health
Christian Barnard Hospital +27 (0)21 423 4835
Constantia Berg Mediclinic +27 (0)21 799 2196



Pretoria Health
Little Company of Mary Hospital +27 (0)12 424 3600
Pretoria Academic (Steve Biko) Hospital +27 (0)12 354 1000
Zuid-Africanns Hospital +27 (0)12 343 5482
Die Wilgers Hospital +27 (0)12 807 8100
Unitas Hospital Centurion +27 (0)12 677 8000



Johannesburg Health
Bedford Gardens Hospital +27 (0) 11 677 8500
SandtonMedi-Clinic +27 (0) 11 709 2000
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital +27 (0) 11 933 8000
24Hours Emergency +27 (0)11 706 7710





C. WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY ABROAD

If necessary, contact the Cyprus High Commission (in the other countries of the South African Region you may contact the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus, if any, or you may seek emergency assistance from a Mission of another EU Member State), and/or the Schengen, Consular and Crisis Management Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at:


Presidential Palace Avenue, 1447, Nicosia;
Tel.: +357-22-401124; +357-22-401131
Fax: +357-22-661881; +357-22-665313
E-mail address: minforeign1@mfa.gov.cy


After working hours, please, contact the duty officer of the Ministry (telephone: +357-99-660129).


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Last Modified at: 04/03/2024 12:35:16 PM
 

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
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