COVID-19 Information | U.S. Embassy in Gabon

COVID-19 Information for Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe

Updated June 30, 2020

Latest Governmental Restrictions

Gabon

On June 30, the Gabonese government announced modifications to a number of the previously imposed confinement measures. The following changes will take effect on July 1 at 05:00:

Commercial air travel may resume. Two international flights per airline per week will be permitted.
Although Gabon’s land and sea borders will remain closed to travelers, travel by air, boat, and train within Gabon may resume.
Regular working hours will resume in the public and private sectors.
Hotels may reopen.
Restaurants with outdoor dining terraces may reopen.
A curfew will remain in effect, but with reduced hours (20:00 to 05:00).
Classes for students who plan to take the baccalaureate exam in August will resume on July 20. Post-secondary classes may resume on July 13.
Masks are still required in public and social distancing and hygiene requirements will continue. The government cautioned that restrictions may be reinstated in certain locations or throughout the country if new outbreaks occur.

Please see the country-specific information below for additional details.

São Tomé and Príncipe

On June 12, the government of São Tomé and Príncipe announced a three-phase plan for reopening. Please see the details in the country-specific section below. The following social distancing measures remain in place:

Members of the public are encouraged to remain home when possible and to avoid large gatherings.
Mandatory confinement for those who are ill.
Individuals must wear a mask in all closed public places and on all roads unless the driver is the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Taxis, buses and other public transportation are limited to 2/3 of their usual passenger capacity.
Bars and clubs remain closed.
Members of public must maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters and must wash hands with soap and water or disinfect them at the entrance of all public and private institutions.
Funerals and wakes for those who passed away from non-Covid-19 causes are limited to 20 persons. Funerals and wakes for those who passed away from COVID-19 have more stringent restrictions.
Music festivals and fundões are prohibited.

Other Restrictions

The governments of Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe have implemented a number of restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions are summarized below.

Embassy Operations

Effective March 16, U.S. Embassy Libreville has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.

Global Health Advisory

The Department of State has issued a Level 4 Global Health Advisory and advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.

Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite time frame.

Gabon COVID-19 Information

Country-Specific Information:

As of June 30, the Gabonese government has confirmed 5,394 cases of COVID-19 in Gabon.
On June 30, the Gabonese government announced a number of modifications to previously imposed confinement measures. The following modified restrictions take effect on July 1:
- Commercial air travel may resume. Two international flights per airline per week will be permitted.
- Although Gabon’s land and sea borders will remain closed to travelers, travel by air, boat, and train within Gabon may resume.
- Regular working hours will resume in the public and private sectors.
- Hotels may reopen.
- Restaurants with outdoor dining terraces may reopen.
- A curfew will remain in effect, but with reduced hours (20:00 to 05:00).
- Classes for students who plan to take the baccalaureate exam in August will resume on July 20. Post-secondary classes may resume on July 13.
- Masks are still required in public and social distancing and hygiene requirements will continue.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Persons entering Gabon will be subject to health screening measures upon arrival.

Quarantine Information:

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must self-quarantine at home unless they are so ill that hospitalization is required. Those who test positive must test negative two times before they are permitted to leave quarantine. The quarantine requirement applies to the entire household of the person who tests positive.

Local Resources:

COVID-19 Hotline: 1410
Gabonese government’s COVID-19 website
Ministry of Health: http://www.sante.gouv.ga/ and https://www.facebook.com/SanteGOUVGA/

Other links:

São Tomé and Príncipe COVID-19 Information

Country-Specific Information:

As of June 30, São Tomé and Príncipe has confirmed 714 cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
On June 12, the government of São Tomé and Príncipe announced a three-phase plan for reopening. The plan has three phases:

Phase 1 – June 16-30:

The mandatory curfew is no longer in effect.
Repatriation flights for Sao Tomean nationals and foreign residents of Sao Tome may resume.
Bakeries, gas stations and pharmacies may operate from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Markets may operate Monday through Saturday from 5:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Restaurants and cafes may operate from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm with half the usual capacity and a maximum of 4 people per table from the same group or family respecting general health rules. Restaurants and cafes may offer takeout services from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Most other commercial enterprises such as banks and communication companies may operate between 7:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Government offices will operate from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm with reduced staffing.
Churches and other religious entities may open at one third of their usual capacity, respecting general health rules.

Phase 2 – July 1 to 15:

Air travel will partially resume, allowing flights from member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
Hotels, guest houses, and casinos may reopen subject to regulations put in place by the Ministry of Tourism.
Restaurants and cafes may operate during usual operating hours with half the usual capacity and a maximum of 4 people per table from the same group or family respecting general health rules.
Private businesses (except for bars and clubs) and government offices may resume normal staffing and operations.
Some higher education facilities will reopen with limits of 20 students per class.
Museums, theaters, cultural exhibitions, and libraries may reopen.
Meetings and lectures may resume at 50% capacity for the space where the event occurs.
Churches and other religious entities may open at one half of their usual capacity, respecting general health rules.
Visits to hospitalized patients (excluding COVID-19 patients), residents of nursing homes, and prisoners may resume.

Phase 3 – July 16-30:

All international commercial flights may resume and the government will resume flights and transportation by boat between the islands of Príncipe and São Tomé.
Markets may operate from Monday to Saturday between 5:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Gyms and similar enterprises may reopen.

The following social distancing measures remain in place:

Members of the public are encouraged to remain home when possible and to avoid large gatherings.
Mandatory confinement for those who are ill.
Individuals must wear a mask in all closed public places and on all roads unless the driver is the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Taxis, buses and other public transportation are limited to 2/3 of their usual passenger capacity.
Bars and clubs remain closed.
Members of public must maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters and must wash hands with soap and water or disinfect them at the entrance of all public and private institutions.
Funerals and wakes for those who passed away from non-Covid-19 causes are limited to 20 persons. Funerals and wakes for those who passed away from COVID-19 have more stringent restrictions.
Music festivals and fundões are prohibited.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

The São Toméan government has indicated that passengers arriving in São Tomé must provide proof that they tested negative for COVID-19 with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken three days prior to departure. Passengers who are symptomatic upon arrival (e.g., have a temperature above 38 degrees) will be subject to a rapid test for COVID-19.

Quarantine Information:

On April 22, the government announced the creation of medical teams for the exclusive monitoring of infected patients. Such patients will be isolated from their homes in areas designated for that purpose.
São Toméan nationals and residents who return to the country may be subject to a mandatory quarantine.

Local Resources:

São Tomé and Príncipe Ministry of Health: https://www.facebook.com/MSaudeSTeP/

Other links:

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Sao Tome and Principe

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Libreville, Gabon