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Ghana's Kotoka International Airport, located outside the capital city of Accra, was closed in March 2020 along with other border points to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The airport reopened for commercial flights on September 1, 2020, with new regulations in place to prevent the virus from re-entering the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of reopening | 1st September 2020 |
| Airport name | Kotoka International Airport |
| Airport location | Outside the capital Accra |
| New regulations | New safety measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 |
| Testing requirements | Negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin, not older than 72 hours before departure |
| Target group for testing | All passengers arriving in Ghana, except children under five years old |
| Cost of testing | Passenger pays for the test |
| Time for test results | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Handling of positive cases | Positive cases will be handled by health authorities for clinical assessment and management |
| Entry requirements for negative cases | Negative cases are allowed entry and advised to follow COVID-19 security precautions |
| Border status | International borders remain closed for the time being |
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What You'll Learn
Kotoka International Airport (KIA) reopened on 1 September 2020
Ghana's Kotoka International Airport (KIA) reopened on 1 September 2020, after being closed for five months. The airport, located outside the capital city of Accra, resumed operations with new regulations in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In a nationwide broadcast, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the reopening, stating that land borders would remain closed. To prevent passengers from bringing the virus into the country, new safety measures were imposed. These included mandatory negative COVID-19 PCR test results from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin, taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Children under five were exempt from testing.
The resumption of international flights at KIA was welcomed, particularly for the tourism industry. However, concerns were raised about the potential for a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Ghana. The Ghanaian government urged adherence to safety precautions, such as wearing face masks, social distancing, and handwashing.
With the airport's reopening, commercial flights to and from Ghana restarted, and airlines implemented the necessary directives. Passengers were advised to check with their travel companies for the latest information. The reopening of KIA was a significant step towards restoring travel and tourism in Ghana, but it also presented a delicate balance between economic recovery and public health considerations.
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Passengers arriving in Ghana must have a negative PCR test
Ghana reopened its international airport, Kotoka International Airport (KIA), located outside the capital Accra, on 1 September 2020. The airport was closed in March 2020 along with other border points to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Ghana has specific requirements for passengers arriving in the country. All passengers, including those from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, must complete a Port Health Declaration Form before departure. In addition, passengers must possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited laboratory in their country of origin. The test should be taken no more than 48 to 72 hours before the scheduled departure time. Passengers who are fully vaccinated are exempt from pre-departure or on-arrival testing and must present a valid vaccination certificate.
Upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport, passengers may be subject to random COVID-19 testing free of charge. Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 will be handled by the health authorities for further clinical assessment and management. Passengers arriving from Israel on humanitarian grounds or during official travel must request permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
It is important to note that travellers arriving in Ghana are expected to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines, such as wearing face masks appropriately and regularly sanitising their hands at the provided stations in the terminal. These measures are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals during the ongoing pandemic.
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Children under five are exempt from testing
Ghana's Kotoka International Airport (KIA) reopened to international flights on 1 September 2020, following five months of lockdown. The airport, located outside the capital city of Accra, had been closed in March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Upon reopening, passengers arriving in Ghana were required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport terminal at their own cost. However, children under five were exempt from this testing requirement. This exemption for young children was implemented to facilitate family travel and reduce the potential inconvenience and stress for parents and guardians. It is important to note that while children under five are exempt from testing, other health protocols, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, may still apply to them.
The decision to exempt children under five from testing was based on several factors. Firstly, young children are generally considered low-risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Additionally, the available testing methods at the time, such as nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, may have been deemed uncomfortable or invasive for very young children. Moreover, the accuracy and reliability of COVID-19 tests in children under five could have been a factor, as the performance of diagnostic tests can vary with age.
While exempting children under five from testing may have been a practical approach, it is crucial for parents and guardians to remain vigilant and observe other preventive measures. These could include ensuring their children follow proper hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing, and maintaining social distance from others as much as possible. Additionally, adults travelling with young children should adhere to their own country's testing and quarantine guidelines upon their return.
Ghana has implemented various measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors. In addition to the COVID-19 testing requirements, travellers to Ghana should be aware of other health considerations, such as the risk of malaria. Taking preventative measures against mosquito bites and consulting a healthcare professional about anti-malarial medication are recommended steps to protect one's health when visiting Ghana.
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New safety measures were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19
Ghana reopened its international airport on 1 September 2020, with new safety measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Kotoka International Airport, located outside the capital city of Accra, was closed in March 2020, along with other border points, to contain the spread of the virus.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the reopening, stating that new regulations would be implemented to prevent passengers from bringing the virus into the country. One key measure was the requirement for all incoming passengers to possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in their country of origin. The test had to be taken no more than 72 hours before their departure. Children under five years of age were exempt from this requirement.
Additionally, passengers were advised to observe COVID-19 security precautions, such as wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, and frequently washing their hands. Health authorities would manage passengers who tested positive for COVID-19, while those who tested negative were allowed entry into Ghana.
The reopening of the airport was welcomed as good news for tourism and the economy. However, the Ghanaian government and health authorities remained vigilant to prevent a resurgence of the virus in the country.
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Commercial flights are operating to and from Ghana
Ghana's Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra reopened to commercial flights on 1 September 2020. The airport had been closed since March 2020, along with other border points, in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The reopening of the airport was announced by Ghana's President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who said that new safety measures would be imposed to prevent passengers from bringing COVID-19 into the country. These measures included the requirement for all passengers arriving in Ghana to possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure, and passengers were required to pay for and undergo an additional COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport terminal. Children under five were exempt from the testing requirement.
The resumption of commercial flights to and from Ghana was welcomed as good news for tourism, and it was hoped that tourists would return to the country. However, the Ghanaian government urged travellers to adhere to COVID-19 security precautions, such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing in public.
Since the reopening of the airport, various airlines have resumed their operations in Ghana, including United Airlines, Delta, Air France, Brussels Airlines, and Ethiopia Airlines.
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Frequently asked questions
Ghana's airports reopened for international flights on September 1, 2020.
Arriving passengers were required to take a COVID-19 test at the airport terminal at their own cost. Passengers under five were exempt from testing.
Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said: "I am glad to announce that Kotoka International Airport will reopen and resume operations." He also added that land borders would remain closed.
