Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Accra, Ghana

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Accra, Ghana

Location:  Ghana

Event:  The Ghana Health Service has confirmed multiple cases of COVID-19.

On March 21, the government of Ghana announced that it will close its borders for two weeks effective 11:59pm on Sunday, March 22.  The U.S. Embassy understands the challenges the rapidly evolving international response to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused U.S. citizens seeking to return to the United States.

Effective March 20, the U.S. Embassy temporarily suspended routine services for American Citizens and remains open for emergency American Citizen Services.  Requests for emergency services for American Citizen Services should be directed to ACSAccra@state.gov. Visit the embassy website for additional information.

The U.S. Embassy has received isolated reports of verbal harassment by Ghanaians of foreigners because of misperceptions that foreigners are responsible for spreading COVID-19.  Americans in Ghana are reminded to avoid large gatherings and keep a low profile.  Additionally, there have been reports of target of opportunity scams including groups of people offering to sanitize homes against COVID-19 and online crowdfunding for fraudulent charities.  Review the Financial Scams section on the U.S. Embassy’s Citizen Services webpage for additional information on how to protect yourself against financial scams (International Financial Scams).

Additional information will be posted to the Embassy’s Facebook and Twitter feeds as well as the Embassy’s website as it becomes available.  The United States Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens in Ghana to complete the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step/.  STEP is a free service to help the U.S. Embassy and Consulate contact American citizens in an emergency.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.

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