COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Information

Last Updated: 12/14/2020

Country-Specific Information:

  • As of December 14, 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone has confirmed 2,440 cases of COVID-19 and 75 deaths within its borders.
  • There are no restrictions on inter-district travel and there is no longer a curfew in place.
  • Lungi International Airport is open for commercial airline flights. All land and sea borders are closed to the movement of people.
  • Churches and mosques are open.
  • Public gatherings are now permitted in limited numbers. The government has imposed restrictions on the number of passengers traveling by public transportation.
  • Citizens are required to observe social distancing protocols, wear cloth face coverings in public, stay home if they are sick, and seek medical attention if they show symptoms of COVID-19. If you have a fever and/or cough, call 117.
  • The President of Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency and has convened a COVID-19 response team. Please monitor local media sources for information on any additional restrictions that may be put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health website for more information.
  • Find additional information here: Sierra Leone Alerts and Advisories

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
  • The Ministry of Health & Sanitation announced the following health measures and protocols for arriving and departing passengers (age five and up) at Lungi International Airport:
    • All arriving passengers will be required to:
      • Obtain an authorization before arriving.
      • Have their temperature taken for symptoms of COVID-19.
      • Provide a negative COVID-19 test result issued within one week of the date of departure.
      • Take two COVID-19 tests upon arrival, at their own expense. The two tests consist of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), which is performed by taking a blood sample, and a diagnostic test (RT-PCR), which is taken by nasal swap. The cost is $80.00. If the RDT comes back positive, the passenger will be quarantined at a nearby facility until the RT-PCR results are received 24-72 hours later. Additional testing information can be found here.
    • All departing passengers will be required to:
      • Provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure, at their own expensive. The cost is Le 500,000 (~$50.00) and can be administered at home for an additional L200,000 fee. Testing information can be found here.
  • The Department of State has issued a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” Health Advisory for Sierra Leone due to COVID-19.

Departing Passengers:

Travelers departing Sierra Leone from Lungi International Airport should follow the procedures below:

  • All passengers are to arrive three to four hours before check-in time.
  • All passengers must wear a face mask.
  • Only ticketed passengers will be allowed entry into the airport.
  • All passengers entering the airport gate will be subject to mandatory screening.
  • All passengers will be required to wash their hands.
  • Passengers will be required to stand in marked spaces within the terminal area.

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place? No
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?  Yes
    • In the event of a positive test result, passengers will be taken to a treatment center if they are displaying symptoms.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • Departing passengers can obtain COVID-19 tests at a government hospital, Special Court, ADRA hospital or at a location of their choice for an additional fee. There are no private testing facilities. Call 117 for more information.

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes

Consular Operations:

  • U.S. Embassy Freetown is open for both emergency and routine ACS services including passport renewals, consular reports of birth abroad (CRBAs) and notarials.
  • U.S. Embassy Freetown is closed for all immigrant and non-immigrant visa services.

Getting to Sierra Leone:

  • If you plan to transit Europe en route to Sierra Leone, refer to State.gov for more information. 

Entering the United States:

Local Resources:

Additional Information:

Consular Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Freetown
Southridge, Hill Station
Sierra Leone
+(232) 99 105 500
+(232) 99 105 029 (after hours)
Routine services for U.S. citizens are suspended. Email emergency requests to ConsularFreetown@state.gov.

By | 25 February, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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