A 48-hour flash survey by the Southern African German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Southern Africa) shows that 75% of the respondents, which are members of the chamber, indicated that staff or project personnel are required to travel to the European Union (EU), Germany or South Africa within the next three months and may be unable to do so at that point in time.

The 'Travel Restrictions between South Africa and Germany/the EU' survey also showed that 87% of respondents are worried that the current travel restrictions will have a negative impact on their business outlook for 2022.

After the identification of the Omicron variant by scientists in South Africa at the end of November, the country, as well as some of its neighbours, were hit with severe travel restrictions by the EU and Germany.

The survey showed that 92% of the respondents felt that the travel restrictions imposed by the EU and Germany were too strict.

"The outcome of the survey strongly points to the need for the current travel restrictions to be lifted as it will harm the local economy and negatively affect the economic relations between South Africa and Germany," AHK Southern Africa said on December 9.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Pretoria has issued a statement to clarify the temporary travel restrictions imposed by Germany.

German national carrier Lufthansa will continue to fly to South Africa and German tourists may travel to South Africa.

South Africans may travel to Germany, if they are fully vaccinated and are travelling for specific reasons. When entering Germany, travellers are subject to quarantine regulations.

"It should be noted, however, that the quarantine does not have to be spent in a government-assigned facility but can be spent in any suitable establishment, for example, a hotel," the embassy notes.