Travelling Under Level 2: What to expect
Thompsons Travel COO, Priti Ramkissoon, recently flew from Durban to Johannesburg on Fly Safair. This is her experience of what it’s like now flying under Level Two in South Africa.
My husband and I recently flew from Durban to Johannesburg on Fly Safair and I thought I would share my first flight experience during Lockdown Level 2.  I was quite anxious initially as I saw that all flights to Joburg were full on the day and was a little concerned about the flight, but everything went smoothly, and we felt completely safe!
Upon arrival at King Shaka International Airport drop-off zone at the only open entrance, you will find a table outside where you can complete your Health Declaration form, if not completed prior. Once you enter the airport building itself, there are two rows of tables where you will hand your form in to the staff, answer a few questions about your whereabouts in the last 14 days and get your temperature checked.
The airport was really quiet, as there were only 4 flights departing in the afternoon. We went straight through to bag-drop offs as I had checked-in online a day before (recommended!) and had our boarding passes Whatsapp’d to us from their website – very handy! The check-in staff do not touch your ID card anymore, they ask you to hold it up and pull your mask down to verify your identity, then give you a printed boarding pass as well.
There are social distancing markers on the floor everywhere and hand sanitizing stations everywhere! You can either scan the printed boarding pass yourself or the one on your Whatsapp message. There is also social distancing seating that’s marked everywhere for the safety of our travellers once you go pass the security check point.  
Onboard the flight, you’re required to hand sanitize, again, and keep your mask on throughout the flight. Upon landing, they disembark passengers two rows at a time – starting with two from the front, two from the back – which worked quite nicely. It felt a bit more civilized than the usual jumping up and squashing-each other chaos!
After collecting our luggage at OR Tambo - they have closed the bottom arrival exits completely - you are then required to go up one level and exit at the parkade, where you can get into your transfer or Uber ride.
Some tips for flying domestically under Level 2:
- Arrive two hours before the flight to avoid possible delays at the entrance
- Complete your health document and print it out prior to arrival at the airport – this really saves you time of filling it out outside the entrance
- Be as vigilant and careful as you can by keeping your social distance
- Listen to the cabin crew announcements about procedures for disembarking
- Most importantly: always keep your mask on and mind your own business!
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