Germany to fly out 7,000 tourists stuck in South Africa

The German embassy in South Africa is making plans to repatriate some 7,000 of its nationals who are stuck in the country.

Already, 47 German tourists are under quarantine in the country after one of them tested positive to Covid-19, according to local media reports.

South Africa has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa - 1,280 by the latest count, and is under a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.

German ambassador to South Africa Martin Schäfer on Monday told SA FM Radio that they estimate there could be between "seven to nine thousand Germans stuck in the country".

He said: "We have political will in Germany, we have the means and the money to do it [repatriation] and I think it's the most human thing to do to help get them home.

We need a lot of help. We have a strong partner in South African Airways who is willing to help us with the repatriation flights and we rely now somewhat on the assistance... of the South African government to make sure that our people can make it to the airport and can be flown out."

The embassy tweeted a link to the full interview:

Listen to @AmbSchaefer talk to @StephenGrootes about plans to repatriate German and EU tourists. "We need solidarity and cooperation." https://t.co/dHHZ1mPdLA

— Germany in SA (@GermanEmbassySA) March 30, 2020