GHS reviews Covid-19 protocols as Omicron bites
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reviewed COVID-19 measures for
international travelers following the rise in cases being reported at the Kotoka International Airport.
In November 2020, 168 cases were detected compared to 241 cases in November 2021, an
increase of over 40 per cent.
“We have since been recording an average of 20 positive cases a day at KIA,” it said in a
a statement signed by the Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye.
The Service said the situation was a reflection of the fourth wave of COVID-9 being
experienced by some countries.
“Available data from KIA, show that a COVID-19 positive person is three times more likely to
be unvaccinated. The new variant, Omicron which is said to be more transmissible has been
detected at our airport. Of the 34 cases detected, 75 per cent of them were unvaccinated. Over
the last two weeks, cases from airport account for about 60 per cent of the total cases
recorded in the country,” the statement noted.
The current increase in cases together with the detection of the Omicron variant among
international arrivals and the expected increase during the festive season, it said, called for
urgent actions to prevent a major surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
To avert that, the GHS gave the under-listed directives to be implemented effective midnight
12th December 2021.
Travelers to Ghana
It said all persons 18 years and above arriving in Ghana would be required to provide evidence
of full vaccination for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Also, 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 December 2021 are
exempted.
However, they would be vaccinated on arrival at the Airport.
Traveling Out of Ghana
All Ghanaians travelling out of the country are to be fully vaccinated effective midnight 12th
December 2021.
Definition of Fully Vaccinated
A person is said to be fully vaccinated when he/she has taken the full dose of vaccines
approved and registered by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana.
The statement said travelers needed two doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or Sputnik V
to be declared as fully vaccinated.
However, one dose was required for Johnson and Johnson to be declared fully vaccinated.
The statement mentioned AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna
as the COVID-19 vaccines approved and registered by the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana.
Other arrival requirements also remain unchanged such as the 72-hour negative PCR test
required prior to travel, completion of the Health Declaration Form, and the demand that all
persons who arrived in Ghana would undergo Antigen test.