Health officials screening passengers for Coronavirus at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana in March 2021/Photo: GAA

Ghana changes COVID-19 rules for international travellers

Ghana has lifted most COVID-19 domestic measures and international travel restrictions effective from Monday, 28 March.

For example, the wearing of masks in the West African country is no longer mandatory just as outdoor functions can resume at full capacity as long as all persons are fully vaccinated. In addition, land and sea borders have reopened to passenger traffic.

President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the changes in a televised address on Sunday.

“It has been a difficult two years for all of us, and we are seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel,” the Ghanaian leader said. “I appeal to all of us to live responsibly, protect ourselves at all times.”

Fully vaccinated travellers can enter the country without restrictions such as having a preboarding negative PCR test result while unvaccinated Ghanaians and foreign visitors must continue to present a negative PCR test result not older than 48 hours and will be tested on arrival.

Prior to the announcement, all arriving passengers had to complete a Health Declaration Form and create an account on a dedicated website accessible to upload a negative PCR test result. Passengers had to pay for the arrival test before travel via a website.

All Ghanaians leaving the country are still however required to be vaccinated.

Ghana has so far vaccinated 13 million people with one dose and five million – 16 percent of the population – have been fully vaccinated, according to the Ghana Health Service.

Felix Dappah

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