Entry Policies Due to Covid-19 for Africa
COVID-19 spread quickly to Africa at the start of the pandemic, starting in Egypt and then Nigeria. Within a few months, the virus spread around the whole of the continent, with every single country in Africa reporting cases.
A big issue within this region of the world was community transmission and limited testing, which made minimizing the spread of the virus more challenging. Due to the less developed healthcare facilities in Africa, many people believe the case numbers have been underreported in some countries during this time.
Therefore, if you are traveling to Africa this year, we always recommend you keep up to date with the local news in the countries you are visiting and are aware of any limitations on healthcare facilities where you are staying.
Africa is comprised of so many different countries, so as you can imagine, the restrictions will vary widely from country to country. In an attempt to minimize imported cases, restrictions are in place throughout the continent to reduce the chance of new variants entering African countries.
Of course, you'll want to check these requirements for the specific countries you are visiting at this time. Before booking your trip, ensure the flights you are offered are realistic at the current time, as you may be unable to transit through certain countries.
Some of the countries require a quarantine of up to 14 days, which will take up a large chunk of your visit.
To minimize the spread of infection and to protect yourself while visiting Africa, ensure you follow the required testing and regulations for your visit. A negative COVID-19 test may be required for entry, and you'll also want to check if you need one to return home following your visit.
Some countries have introduced a mobile app for use with the testing and health declaration, which you'll want to do well ahead of your trip to avoid any delays upon arrival.
As with anywhere in the world, we recommend you check out the regulations listed below for the individual country you are visiting to ensure you prepare for your visit to Africa well in advance this year.
Algeria
Algeria has closed its borders.
Benin
Benin has reopened Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport to commercial flights. Travelers must register on this website to arrange for testing and pay the appropriate fee. Travelers must undergo two mandatory COVID-19 tests, a rapid TDR test and a PCR upon arrival at Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport.
Botswana
Botswana has reopened airports. Travelers must present a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 PCR result and be screened upon arrival.
Burundi
Burundi has resumed commercial flights. Travelers must present a medical certificate attesting a negative result for COVID-19 and quarantine upon arrival.
Cameroon
Cameroon has suspended most international flights. All travelers must show a medical certificate attesting to a negative COVID-19 PCR result and undergo medical evaluation.
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic has reopened the Bangui MPoko International Airport (BGF). Travelers are subject to medical screening and 14-day quarantine.
Chad
Chad has resumed all international commercial flights. Travelers must present a certificate attesting to a negative COVID-19 result and are subject to quarantine upon arrival.
Comoros
Comoros has reopened airports. Travelers must present a medical proof showing a negative COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours prior to departure.
Congo
The Republic of Congo reopened international airports and has resumed international flights.
Egypt
Egypt has resumed commercial flights to the country. All travelers must provide proof of a negative PCR test result issued within 72 hours prior to arrival in Egypt.
Eritrea
Asmara International Airport is closed.
Eswatini
Swaziland (Eswatini) has resumed commercial flights. Travelers must show a negative COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours prior to arrival and are subject to medical examination and 14-day quarantine.
Ethiopia
Airports in Ethiopia are open. Arriving travelers must undergo a medical evaluation, testing and comply with quarantine requirements.
Gabon
Gabon has resumed international flights. Travelers should be tested for COVID-19 and isolated upon arrival.
Gambia
The Gambia has resumed commercial flights, although they are still very limited. Travelers must be PCR tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Guinea
Guinea has reopened its borders to Guinean citizens and residents. Travelers must carry a medical certificate attesting to a negative COVID-19 PCR test result and are subject to screening upon arrival.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau has resumed flights. All travelers must present a medical certificate attesting to a negative coronavirus PCR test (COVID-19) issued within 72 hours prior to departure.
Lesotho
Those traveling to Lesotho must travel through, or in transit through, South Africa and are subject to South African entry regulations.
Liberia
Liberia has reopened the airport to all commercial flights. All travelers must download the LibTravel mobile app and pay the COVID-19 test prior to arrival.
Libya
Libya has closed its borders.
Malawi
Travelers must present a medical proof attesting to a negative coronavirus test (COVID-19) issued within ten days prior to arrival.
Mauritania
Mauritania allows some international flights to and from Mauritania. All travelers must certify a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within five days prior to arrival.
Namibia
On September 1, Hosea Kutako International Airport opened for commercial flights. Travelers must certify a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 issued within seven days prior to arrival.
Niger
Niger has banned entry except to citizens of Niger with valid residence visas and foreigners with valid visas.
Nigeria
Travelers must certify a negative PCR test for COVID-19 issued within 96 hours prior to departure to Nigeria and complete an online form. Upon arrival, travelers must undergo another PCR and be placed in isolation.
Rwanda
Rwanda has reopened airports. Travelers must carry a negative PCR test result with them and undergo another test upon arrival in the country.
Senegal
Foreign nationals may be restricted from entering Senegal if they do not reside in Senegal or an ECOWAS member country or if they do not meet other exceptions.
Sierra Leone
Flights to Sierra Leone have resumed.
Somalia
Travelers flying to Somalia must prove a negative COVID-19 test result issued within 96 hours prior to travel in order to enter.
South Africa
South Africa has resumed commercial flights to the country. Travelers must present medical proof showing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, proof of accommodation booking, and undergo medical screening upon arrival.
Sudan
Sudan has reopened airports.
Sudan
Sudan has reopened airports.
Tanzania
Tanzania currently does not have any travel restrictions, but all arriving travelers are subject to medical screening upon arrival.
Togo
Togo has reopened borders to a limited number of commercial flights. Travelers must be screened upon arrival.
Tunisia
As of November 16, all travelers, regardless of the country they are flying from, must undergo a PCR test within seventu two hours prior to departure and accredit a negative test result at the airport upon arrival in Tunisia. As of December 21, 2020, all flights to and from the United Kingdom are suspended.
Zambia
Zambia has reopened its airports. Covid testing and quarantine requirements apply to some travelers. Zambia may require returning residents to provide proof of negative COVID test results issued within the previous 14 days.