Preparing departure from Cape Town, mid July 2020 still in lockdown level 3, with South African crew we added items to our passage preparation. In addition to the safe passage preparation, checking best route in accordance with destination, weather, ports en route, supplies, visas ... We now added Covid.19 allowance.
Coming out of lockdown in RSA means matching conditions given by emergency law on freedom of movement, eg. Authorisation by Home Affairs to leave country for RSA nationals. Ports en route depend on who is open, & who will open, which conditions ... Namibia, Angola, Saint Helena, Sao Tome, Brasil are all possible ports, unfortunately closed down to Sailing Vessels (recreation ? When we live aboard) unless calling in for emergencies or basic supplies, this meant various exchanges & research by all means of communications, leading to friends welcoming us (a smile & good humour will sort it out), authorities rejecting us (port closed, no entry) & our embassies recommending to stay home, on solid ground. Then comes the time to prepare for living on board thru quarantine, or not when justifying no illness, no signs ... Extra food, drinks, safe anchorage, thermometer & daily records of body temperature to be added on log book, next to wind force/direction & sea state ... Going thru the motions now to cross from Cape Town to Caribbean, with stopover in french Guyana or Surinam to wait out hurricane season. Opening borders in Namibia (closed), Angola (closed), Sao Tome (closed). Saint Helena (opening ?), Brasil (closed ?) is still doubtful or subject to local interpretation depending on who/where/when we ask.
Will make for an interesting trip, casting off from Cape Town Jul-20, will decide on direct route or African coast discovery depending on latest developments & answers by authorities & ports.
Meanwhile, thermometer & daily records are newcomers on my checklist 'to do'.
Fair winds & following seas to you all who share our love for roaming the seas.