All you need to know about COVID-19 guidelines at Kotoka International Airport

Ghana on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, opened its international air space to commercial flights, after almost five months of border closures to insulate the country against imported coronavirus cases. 

The country’s main international airport, the Kotoka International Airport, on Tuesday opened to international flights as the country opens up partially to the rest of the world,  with  COVID-19 infection drastically reducing.

This is, however, with stringent protocols to shield the country from importing COVID-19 cases after its first two index cases were transported into the country from infected nations on March 12.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday announced the reopening of the airport on Sunday. On Monday, August 31, 2020, he was at the airport to satisfy himself with the preparation and logistics to protect the country against a surge in cases from travellers.

As part of the outlined COVID-19 airport protocols, all passengers, including arriving and departing, must undergo testing for the virus.

GENERAL

The Ghana Health Service in collaboration with other partners will provide Port Health Services to ensure the safety of flight crew, passengers and users of the airport. Port Health Services at the airport includes all health-related activities within the terminal including laboratory testing, an inspection of relevant health documents, screening and triaging of passengers and the management of ill persons including transfer to appropriate health facilities; environmental inspections, supervision of cleaning and disinfection of aircraft and the entire airport terminal among others.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS OBSERVATION FOR AIRCRAFT OPERATORS AND FLIGHT CREW

Airline crew arriving or departing on international flights at the KIA, including those from the ECOWAS region, will be required to meet the health requirements outlined below prior to admission into Ghana by the Ghana Immigration Service.

1. Crew Members on Departing Flights

All crew members on international flights departing KIA must adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements for the destination countries. In addition, they must always wear a face mask appropriately (extending from the middle of the nasal bridge to halfway between the chin and the neck) and adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols.

2. Crew Members on Arriving Flights

Crew members must not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, including body temperature greater than 38°C. All persons must be wearing facemask appropriately upon arrival (extending from the middle of the nasal bridge to halfway between the chin and the neck) and adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR DEPARTING AND ARRIVING PASSENGERS

All passengers departing or arriving on international flights at KIA, including those from the ECOWAS region, will be required to meet the health requirements outlined below prior to admission into Ghana by the Ghana Immigration Service.

3. Departing Passengers

All passengers on international flights departing KIA will be required to adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements for the destination countries. All persons must be wearing a face mask appropriately (extending from the middle of the nasal bridge to halfway between the chin and the neck) and adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols. Departing passengers will undergo COVID-19 screening, including the checking of temperature.

4. Arriving Passengers

All arriving passengers must not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, including body temperature >38°C. They must be in possession of a COVID-19 negative PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. The test should have been done not more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure time from the country of origin.

For passengers who transit through other countries before arriving in Ghana, the first country of departure will be the reference point. For passengers who depart Ghana and return within one (1) week, the passengers will not be required to present a COVID-19 test result from the country of departure. A negative COVID-19 test from Ghana used on departure will serve as evidence of meeting the COVID-19 test criteria for arriving in Ghana. In addition, all persons must be wearing face mask appropriately upon arrival (extending from the middle of the nasal bridge to halfway between the chin and the neck). All passengers will be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test at the airport terminal at the cost to the passenger. All persons testing positive will receive further clinical assessment and treatment. All persons testing negative will be advised to continue to observe COVID-19 safety precautions following arrival in Ghana.

5. Exemptions

The following categories of passengers and crew are exempt from COVID-19 PCR test Testing i) Children under-5 years of age will not be required to undergo testing at the airport. ii) Persons who arrive under emergency circumstances such as diverted flights will not be required to undergo testing if they do not leave the airport or if they remain in transit such that they do not leave the hotel. iii) Airline crew are exempt from the pre-departure and arrival testing and should follow airline policy for testing.

Management of Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

All persons testing positive will receive further clinical assessment and treatment. Confirmed COVID19 positive will be handled by the Port Health Unit for the remainder of their arrival processes. Following the completion of the arrival procedures, they will be sent to the Ga East Municipal Hospital for further clinical assessment and management. All persons testing negative will be advised to continue to observe COVID-19 safety precautions following arrival in Ghana.