It is now one whole year since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 as a pandemic; since then the whole world went into lock down with many of us unable to travel. Throughout the whole of 2020 and now in 2021, we can all agree that travelling is something we all crave for, however with many countries keeping their borders shut or imposing very strict travel controls a lot of us are wondering when next we can travel to see our family members again, or if we can still have a getaway holiday this year. The next logical question is: which places are currently open for travel for passengers and what are the requirements on arrival. In this series I will be highlighting the countries that are still open for tourist travellers and the specific travel requirements laid out by their local authorities, starting with African countries.
Please note: The below information is up to date as of Saturday 27th March 2021 12pm GMT, these requirements are subject to change thereafter. In addition the below information is to aid in your travel planning, please ensure you confirm travel requirements with the respective country’s government website where you intend to travel to.
African Countries (in alphabetical order):
Botswana – Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is open to air travel. Proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. 14 days of self-monitoring/staying in contact with local authorities. Any failure of the above leads to a 14 days mandatory quarantine.
Cape Verde – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Temperature checking will be required on arrival.
Cote d’Ivoire – Temperature checking on arrival. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 7 days prior to arrival. 14 days monitoring via SMS (text messages) with local authorities and may be advised to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Egypt – Temperature checking and completion of monitoring card is required on arrival. Confirmation of a valid health insurance is required. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. May be advised to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Gabon – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing will be required on arrival. 48 hours self-isolating required upon arrival.
Ghana – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing will be required on arrival. Temperature checking on arrival required. Additional note: If you or anyone on your flight tests positive on arrival you will be required to quarantine in government facility at your own expense. Guinea – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 5 days prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing may be required on arrival. Self-isolation maybe required up to 3 days.
Kenya – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 5 days prior to arrival. Additional medical certificate is required upon arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing may be required on arrival. Completion of the ‘Covid-19. Travellers health Surveillance Form’ will be required. May be advised to quarantine for up to 14 days.
Liberia – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing will be required on arrival. Local authority strongly advises self-isolation for at least 7 days along with self-monitoring for 14 days.
Mali – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing may be required on arrival.
Namibia – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 7 days prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing will be required 5 days after entry.
Tanzania – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 7 days prior to arrival. Temperature checking on arrival is required. Additional Covid-19 testing may be required on arrival.
Rwanda – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing will be required on arrival. You will be required to quarantine at a hotel for 24 hours on arrival.
Zambia – Proof of a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Additional Covid-19 testing may be required after entry.
UK travellers, for more information on travel please visit the UK Gov website.
For all other travellers, please visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) website for more up to date information.