COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep3 AFRICA

Now let’s have a quick look at the beautiful continent of Africa and see how we stand with the travel restrictions and regulations during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep1 DESTINATION EUROPE

COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep2 THE CARIBBEAN

COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep4 NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep5 ASIA

COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep6 SOUTH PACIFIC

 

Which are the African countries where travel restrictions apply and which countries are now open to travelers

This is the up to date information on September 21, 2020.

African countries where travel restrictions apply

Algeria – all international flights to/from Algeria are suspended. All land borders are now closed. Also, ferry services are suspended.

Angola – all international flights to/from Angola are suspended.

Benin – entry/exit the borders are limited to ‘extreme necessity’.

Botswana – borders are closed, except for residents and citizens. No commercial flights in/out of Botswana.

Cape Verde – all international commercial flights are suspended. However, international flights are expected to resume in August.

Cameroon – most international flights are suspended. There are tight restrictions upon access across land and sea borders.

Comoros – all international flights are suspended. Ports are closed to visitors from affected countries. Immigration restriction, enhanced screening and other measures are currently taken.

Eritrea – the airports are closed. All entry visas have been suspended.

Gabon – all borders are closed; all international flights are suspended. Visa applications from countries affected by COVID-19 have been suspended.

The Gambia – all flights are suspended.

Guinea – commercial flights are slowly starting to reopen but borders remain closed. Please contact the Guinean Embassy for more details.

Madagascar – all international and domestic flights are suspended.

Malawi – only nationals and foreign nationals with valid residency visas for Malawi are allowed to enter.

Mauritania – all international flights to/from Mauritania are suspended.

Mauritius – no commercial flights from Mauritius to the UK. Mauritius is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Morocco – starting July 15, British nationals living in Morocco, as well as their families, are allowed to enter Morocco. However, all borders are closed for tourism.

Mozambique – borders are now closed to all visitors, except for Mozambican nationals and foreign nationals with a valid residency visa.

Niger – all international flights to/from Niger have been suspended (until at least 23 May).

Réunion – a travel certificate to be completed. Réunion is on the UK Government’s quarantine exemption list.

Seychelles – starting 1 August, only visitors traveling from countries of a low or medium COVID-19 risk will be allowed to enter. UK is not currently on Seychelles’s list of approved countries.

Sierra Leone – all flights have been suspended and all land borders closed. Though, from July 22,  international flights were expected to be resumed.

South Africa -only African nationals and foreign nationals with valid residence permits are allowed to enter. Commercial flights are suspended. Land borders to neighboring countries are closed except for essential trade.

Sudan – all external borders are closed. A restricted number of flights from regional countries are permitted to enter Sudan.

St Helena – non-essential travel to St Helena is suspended. Residents, technical corporation officers, travelers going to Ascension and visitors pre-authorized by the Governor to return and depart the island are allowed. No cruise ships are permitted to visit. The decision will be reviewed after three months. Starting July 24, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.

Uganda – all international passenger flights to/from Uganda are suspended.

African countries open to travelers

Chad – starting August 1, all international visitors must hand over their passport and quarantine for 7 days. A COVID-19 test on the seventh day is mandatory in order to receive back the passport.

Cote d’Ivoire – international flights have resumed. Complete a form before arriving, temperatures to be checked on arrival. All visitors will be advised to self-isolate in their own accommodation for 14 days on arrival.

Djibouti – all borders have reopened. On arrival, visitors will be tested for COVID-19 (except for children under 11 years old) and will have to remain at the point of entry until they receive the test results (estimated waiting: up to four hours). You should not eat anything 30 minutes before your arrival at the entry point.In case of negative result, you will be free to go to your accommodation. If case of positive result, you will be taken to a government designated quarantine hotel or hospital.

Egypt – has reopened to tourists. A form is to be completed and temperature checked, as well as a valid health insurance policy to be presented to the authorities upon arrival. Starting August 15, those travelling to Egypt will need a negative PCR test certificate no older than 72 hours.

Ethiopia – land borders are currently closed. Airports are under strict measures. All visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test result, dated within the previous 120 hours (five days), and are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. Only PCR tests are accepted. You may need to demonstrate you have such a test certificate before boarding your flight. Another test upon arrival is mandatory.

Ghana – commercial flights have been resumed. Please be aware that the current travel measures  are not yet final and these could change at short notice. Visitors need to complete a self-declaration form, present a proof of a negative COVID-19 test,  no older than 72 hours and have their temperature checked, as well as another test taken on arrival.

Kenya – UK travelers can now enter Kenya without having to quarantine for 14 days. All visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test result, no older than 96 hours (must be a medical certificate). There will be screening on arrival. In case of symptoms, visitors must self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone within two rows of the person showing symptoms (from the same flight) must self-isolate for 14 days.

Liberia – Robert Intl Airport has reopened to commercial flights. All visitors will be checked for COVID-19 on arrival and will need to wash their hands using soap and water.Anyone with symptoms will be taken to a quarantine facility. Travelers are  strongly advised to get a COVID-19 test before arriving  and present the negative result at the border. In case of no test before flying, visitors must take a Rapid Test on arrival.

Mali – all visitors must present a proof of a negative COVID test, no older than 72 hours. Test will be taken on arrival in case of no such proof and passengers will need to self-isolate while waiting for the results. With regional borders still closed, the commercial flights are limited. Check with your travel provider before your journey!

Namibia – Hosea Kutako Intl Airport is open to all passengers presenting a proof of a negative COVID-19 test, no older than 72 hours. A 7 days self-isolation is also required, as well as a new  COVID-19 test a couple of days after arrival.

Nigeria – please contact your airline as flights to Abuja and Lagos have resumed. Visitors need to complete an online pre-booking health declaration on the Nigeria International Travel Portal and present a proof of a negative test, no older than 96 hours. There is a second test to be booked seven days after arrival, requiring self-isolation until the results of the second test.

São Tomé and Príncipe – UK nationals are allowed to enter the country on the condition of a negative test result proof, no older than 72 hours and self-isolation for 14 days.

Tanzania – has resumed international flights. There is no more mandatory quarantine (except for passengers showing symptoms). Temperature will be checked upon arrival. In case of symptoms, a COVID-19 test must be taken.

Tunisia – has changed the UK’s classification from a green to orange,  meaning UK visitors will have to take a test before arriving and self-isolate for 14 days.

Rwanda – international flights have now resumed to/from Kigali Intl Airport. Visitors must present a proof of a negative test, no longer than 72 hours prior arrival. There is a mandatory second test to be taking on arriving and quarantine at a designated hotel for a minimum of 24 hours.

Senegal – airlines are not allowed to carry foreign nationals from countries who have advised against travel to Senegal. UK travelers are not subject to this restriction. Please be advised that some airlines are only allowing foreign nationals with proof of residency in Senegal to travel (please check with the airline before travelling). A negative test result, no older than 7 days, issued in the country where you started your trip and authorized by that country or a recognized health organisation, is mandatory to be presented upon arrival. Visitors who don’t have the test proof must declare they have no symptoms and accept a test upon arrival.

Zambia – borders are open. Kenneth Kaunda Intl Airport is open to international flights. However, all other airports are closed to international traffic. Enhanced screening upon arrival is required. All tourist visas to Zambia are now cancelled. All visitors need to present a  COVID-19 negative result, no older than 14 days; at the same time, all visitors are to be tested  for COVID-19 on arrival (nasal swab). All travelers must go into quarantine for 14 days at a government-run facility. No visitor can leave unless they completed the 14-day quarantine.