President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new rules would come into effect on Wednesday (23 March) and unvaccinated visitors would still need a negative PCR “not older than 72 hours” to gain entry.

“All unvaccinated travellers entering the country who want to be vaccinated will be offered a vaccination,” he added, during a national address on Tuesday.

Previously, all travellers entering South Africa were required to show a negative PCR test.

Ramaphosa also announced changes to South Africa’s domestic Covid policy, with vaccinated individuals or those with a negative test, allowed back into sporting stadiums and music and theatre shows operating at half capacity.

The mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors has also been scrapped, but will remain mandatory in public indoor spaces.

“We are now at a watershed moment. We are now ready to enter a new phase in our management of the pandemic,” he said.