Coronavirus: Latest Advice
Customer advice regarding Coronavirus
Last Updated: 22/10/2021
With the news dominated by Coronavirus, we want to let you know that we are vigilantly implementing enhanced protocols to ensure your safety. The safety of you our customers and our staff is of paramount importance to us, and we are closely monitoring the news, information, advice and guidance from the World Health Organisation regarding the spread of the Coronavirus.
Covid-19 Protocols
In light of the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa, that the country will begin a gradual and phased approach to the easing of the current lockdown restrictions, we are pleased to advise that we will be operating throughout the country for corporate and leisure travel and international travellers visiting our beautiful country.
To keep you safe during your rental experience and minimise your risk of exposure to Covid-19, our staff are continuing to enforce the strictest hygiene and preventative standards, as well as using enhanced car cleaning processes.
Operations
- All branches are operational
- Our Chauffeur Driven and Luxury Car services will be available to our customers.
Call Centre
- Our reservations and customer care call centre will be operational via phone or email from Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm. To make a reservation, extend, cancel or amend a rental please email reservations@avis.co.za and all other queries email customerservice@avis.co.za, or call us on 0861 021 111 / +27 11 387 8431.
- Our Roadside and Emergency call line will be operational 24/7 during the lockdown period.
Future Bookings
Book with confidence, knowing that there will not be any penalties for changes made up to 72 hours before the start of your rental.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Avis be accepting driver's licences that have expired during lockdown?
We are aware that due the national lockdown and the limited availability of licensing offices able to renew driver's licences that this has been a challenge.
The Department of Transport has extended the grace period for expired driver's licences to the end of March 2022. With this in mind we will accept driver's licences that have expired on or after 5 March 2020.
This exception is valid until the 15 April 2022, but excludes licenses that expire between 01 - 15 April 2022.
International Visitors from Europe and the United Kingdom
Due to the delay in the re-issuing of driver's licences in many of the European countries, drivers must present a goverment issued letter of Entitlement stating the extension of their licence. Find out more here.
These letters will be accepted along with the expired driver's licence. This only applies to international visitors from Europe and the UK.
Normal procedures and restrictions on temporary licences will apply. For more information please visit our FAQ's page.
Additional precautions to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus
We are closely monitoring the information shared by the World Health Organization and the National Health Department concerning advice on how to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In order to slow down the spread of the virus, we are taking the following actions:
Vehicles
We have enhanced the already robust cleaning techniques of our vehicles after each rental and in particular, we are paying special attention to places that people touch such as door handles, steering wheels, controls and other hard surfaces by cleaning these with an alcohol-based sanitiser.
Facilities
We are cleaning all our facilities frequently with recommended sanitizing products. This includes work surfaces, telephone handsets, computer keyboards, laptops, tablets, cell phones and frequently handled equipment. We have placed hand sanitisers at key points in all of our sites to encourage customers, suppliers, visitors and employees to constantly clean their hands. Further to this surgical face masks and hand gloves have been provided for Avis Brand Ambassadors to wear at all times.
In an effort to keep both you and our Avis Brand Ambassadors safe, you are kindly requested to comply with the following before entering our rental locations:
- Wear a suitable mask
- Apply hand sanitiser provided
- Allow temperature screening
- Don't touch your face
- Maintain social distancing principle at all times
- Cough into your elbow
- Provide proof of authorisation to travel
The Welfare of our Employees
We are taking steps to ensure the welfare of our employees and this includes instructing all employees who feel ill to stay at home and consult their healthcare providers. All our staff are being informed to be vigilant about frequent hand washing. We strongly advise against direct personal contact such as handshakes and hugging as this could also transmit the infection.
Chauffeur Driven Services
Our chauffeur drive, point-to-point and vehicle shuttle drivers are being provided with gloves to wear and the recommended sanitising products for their hands and the customer luggage, if they so wish.
We advise all our customers to keep updated on the latest developments from the World Health Organisation and the National Health Department has set up a hotline (0800 0299 99) to respond to all COVID-19 related enquiries, including where you can get tested in your local area.
During this challenging time, many people are choosing different ways to travel. If you need a rental vehicle or chauffeur driven services, we are here for you. Your safety is our highest priority and we truly appreciate the trust you place in our team and our company.