Location: Ghana
Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 100,000 reported cases worldwide.
On March 15, 2020, the government of Ghana issued a Travel Advisory, closed all schools, and suspended public gatherings.
The Ghanaian Travel Advisory states:
- All travel to Ghana is strongly discouraged until further notice.
- Any traveler, except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana residence permits, who, within the last 14 days, has been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of COVID-19, will not be admitted to Ghana. Airlines are instructed not to allow such persons to embark. Border posts are instructed not to allow such persons into the jurisdiction.
- There will be a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for persons who are allowed to enter the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Guidelines for self-quarantine will be available at the various Ghanaian ports of entry. Enforcement protocols are being deployed in collaboration with state security and health authorities. Persons determined to be unable to satisfactorily self-quarantine will be quarantined by the State.
- Any admissible traveler who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 will be quarantined and tested upon reaching Ghana.
- Item one of this statement takes effect immediately.
- Items 2, 3, and 4 take effect at 1pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
The government of Ghana has ordered the closing of all schools beginning March 16, 2020 and has suspended “all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious activities, such as services in churches and mosques” for the next four weeks.
Ghanaian authorities had previously increased screening at ports of entry, including Kotoka International Airport in Accra, by asking travelers to complete a health declaration form and screening for potentially infected passengers. Passengers with symptoms and a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or greater will be isolated and have samples taken. Confirmed cases will be placed in hospital quarantine. Ridge and Tema hospitals have been designated to accept patients believed to have been exposed to COVID-19.
The Department of State has updated its Global Level 3 Health Advisory to include the following paragraph: “On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.”
The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Notice for Ghana.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Ghana.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
- Monitor the Ghana Health Service COVID-19 Information Portal
- Ridge and Tema hospitals have been designated to accept patients who believe they have been exposed to coronavirus
- The Government of Ghana has set up two phone numbers for questions regarding coronavirus: 050 949 7700 & 055 843 9868
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Accra, Ghana
+(233) 30-27-41-000
+(233) 30-27-41-000 (after hours)
No. 24, Fourth Circular Rd., Cantonments, Accra
P.O. Box GP 2288
Accra, Ghana
ACSAccra@state.gov
https://gh.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
- 88-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Country Information for Ghana
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
