The Government of South Africa approved on Saturday essential travels for its people, who want to return to their countries.

In the process of reviewing the International Relaciones and Cooperation Department and the National Coronavirus Command Council, Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi made the announcement.

Motsoaledi said that South Africans who want to leave are only allowed to leave for one of the following reasons: work, research, reunification of their families, permanent stay, and medical attention.

As part of measures put in place to combat COVID-19, South Africa introduced travel restrictions in mid-March, only allowing travel between countries under special circumstances.

The new policy requires South Africans to provide the necessary documentation to return to countries of residence. In addition, they must provide a permit from each transiting country when returning by road or by connecting via flights.