The first international flight arrived in Cape Town as South Africa opened its borders to international travel for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown started on March 27.

The 50-passenger Emirates flight from Dubai was welcomed by a musical ensemble at the Cape Town International Airport on Thursday (October 1).

Derek Cloete, the general manager for Cape Town International Airport, said: "Loads of preparation went into getting the airport ready to receive international travellers."

South Africa will not be allowing tourists from countries with high COVID-19 infection rates, including the UK and 56 other nations on the country's “banned leisure travel list."

The first international flight arrived with 50 passengers on board an Erimates flights from Dubai arrived in Cape Town as South Africa opened its borders to international travel for the first time since the Covid 19 lockdown started on 27 March.

The international flight was welcomed with much fanfare at the Cape Town International Airport with arriving travellers being treated to a musical display by a Cape Minstrels ensemble.

Derek Cloete, the general manager for the airport said loads off preparation went into getting the airport ready to receive international travellers.