COVID-19: GHS ‘Tightens’ Protocols @ KIA Over Surge In Cases, Festive Season
The Ghana Health Service has reviewed COVID-19 protocols for international travellers who use the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
This follows a surge in Coronavirus cases recorded at the KIA, as well as an anticipated increase in international arrivals during the festive season.
“Globally, several countries are experiencing their fourth wave. A number of travellers from these countries come to Ghana, and this is expected to increase during the festive season. This current surge in COVID-19 cases is being reflected at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).”
“In November 2020, 168 cases were detected compared to 241 cases in November 2021, an increase of over 40%. We have since been recording an average of 20 positive cases a day at KIA.”
Ghana recently recorded 34 cases of the new Omicron variant, but the Ghana Health Service says it has not yet recorded community transmission of the variant.
“Over the last two weeks, cases from airport account for about 60% of the total cases recorded in the country.”
“The current increase in cases together with the detection of the Omicron variant among international arrivals and the expected increase during the festive season calls for urgent actions to prevent a major surge in COVID-19 cases in Ghana.”
GHS has thus issued the following directives effective midnight of December 12, 2021:
Travellers to Ghana
• All persons 18 years and above arriving in Ghana will be required to provide evidence of full
vaccination for a COVID-19 vaccine
• All unvaccinated Ghanaians and residents of Ghana who are currently outside the country and intend to return within 14 days from the midnight of 12th December2021,1 are exempted.
However, they would be vaccinated on arrival at the airport.
Travelling Out of Ghana
All Ghanaians travelling out of the country are to be fully vaccinated effective midnight 12th December 2021.