Following a spike in COVID-19 cases in China, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will start implementing the updated measures at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as of today, January 6, 2023.
Per the new protocols, all passengers embarking into the country through the Kotoka International Airport will be required to produce valid negative COVID-19 PCR test results 48 hours prior to departure from their originating country.
Below are the updated guidelines for international air travelers:
1. All international passengers including those from the Ecowas Region must complete a port health declaration form before embarkation of flight to Ghana.
2. Also, all persons arriving in Ghana who are fully vaccinated will be exempted from any form of testing done either prior to boarding from originating country or on arrival in Ghana except passengers originating their journey from China.
3. Passengers originating their journey from China will be required to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result 48 hours prior to departure from the originating country. In addition, such passengers will be required to undergo mandatory testing on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport at no cost.
4. All other passengers originating their journey from elsewhere other than China, will be required to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result 48 hours prior to departure from the originating country. In addition, such passengers will be required to undergo mandatory testing on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport at no cost.
5. Passengers may be randomly selected and offered tests on arrival.
6. Non-Ghanaians travelling to the Kotoka International Airport with fake or forged Vaccination Certificates shall be quarantined and returned to the point of embarkation at their own cost.
7. Airlines that bring passengers to Kotoka International Airport who are not fully vaccinated or passengers originating their journey from China without a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result, 48 hours prior to departure, would be surcharged $3,500.
8. Passengers transiting and transferring through Kotoka International Airport will be required to fully adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements at the destination countries.
In an earlier statement, the GHS noted that even though there has been a “decline and sustained low-levels of COVID-19” cases in Ghana, the surge in other jurisdictions, particularly China, coupled with the low rate of vaccination, poses a threat to Ghana.
The Service also encouraged the citizenry to make themselves available for vaccination, which they described as the best form of protection against COVID-19.
