COVID-19 Information for Cameroon

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COVID-19 Information

Last updated: [12/09/2020]

Country-Specific Information:

  • The Cameroonian Prime Minister announced as of March 18 that all land, sea, and air borders would be closed until further notice due to COVID-19. While many airlines have been given permission to resume limited flights, officially the borders’ status is still “closed.”
  • Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health has been responding to the COVID-19 outbreak through active surveillance, screening at points of entry, laboratory testing, and case management at designated isolation and treatment centers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are providing technical support to control the outbreak in Cameroon.
  • Businesses, churches, government offices, and most schools are open and maintain normal hours.
  • The regulations mentioned on this page may be inconsistently applied and are subject to change, but U.S. citizens should be prepared to comply with all of them.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
    • The Cameroonian government has stated that U.S. citizens with Cameroonian visas and residency permits can enter Cameroon under the conditions listed below.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
    • A negative test result within three days prior to arrival is required. Passengers not meeting this requirement will undergo testing on arrival at the airport.
  • A negative COVID-19 test from a designated lab is required for exit. Passengers not meeting this requirement may undergo testing at the airport or be denied check-in.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
  • Visitor’s visas can be extended at the Frontier Police Office in Yaoundé.
  • Always carry proof of your legal presence in Cameroon, such as a U.S. passport with visa or a residency card. Since Cameroon does not recognize dual citizenship, U.S. citizens of Cameroonian descent should never attempt to use a Cameroonian passport or identification card.

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? No
    • The Cameroonian government has updated the previous policy of mandatory quarantine for travelers. Air passengers with a positive COVID-19 test result will be required to enter isolation at home or in a government facility at their own expense depending on their symptoms.
  • Although quarantine is not required, travelers may have been exposed to COVID-19 during their travels and are encouraged to limit contact with others for 14 days after their trip.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • There are government facilities in all ten regions that provide testing at no charge. Results are usually provided within 24 – 48 hours. Call 1510 for the most up-to-date information.

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
    • Cameroonian borders remain officially closed; however, several airlines have been given permission to operate international flights from Douala and Yaoundé.
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    • Mask wearing is mandatory on all public transportation. For safety reasons unrelated to COVID-19, the U.S. Embassy recommends that all public transportation be avoided.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Anyone not wearing a mask in public can potentially be fined 6,000 CFA (about $11).

Consular Operations:

  • The U.S. Embassy remains open for all emergency and routine U.S. American Citizen Services. Please contact us at YaoundeACS@state.gov or +237 22220-1500 if in need of immediate assistance.  Appointments for routine services are available through the U.S. Embassy website for passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notary services.  Please contact YaoundeACS@state.gov if you need a U.S. passport for urgent travel and require an expedited appointment.

The U.S. Embassy is currently processing Immigrant Visa cases for spouses, children, and fiancés of U.S. citizens.  Non-immigrant visa appointments are available for students and certain exchange visitors.  Other non-immigrant visa cases are accepted for emergency and mission critical circumstances through our online appointment system.

Local Resources:

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