Coronavirus: what measures await travelers on the African continent

Text by: Paulina Zidi Follow

Africa is still relatively untouched by the coronavirus epidemic, but cases of contamination have appeared in several countries of the continent. Cases mainly imported from Europe, one of the main foci of the epidemic. African countries are therefore organizing to limit its spread. Back to the principles of measures which now affect travelers.

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Updated March 13 at 2 p.m. (GMT),

■ South Africa
The country lists 13 cases of coronavirus which prompted the South African authorities to set up a national system for the care of patients infected with the coronavirus. Detection measures are applied to the arrival of travelers at the main entry points of the country, whether at the country's airports and ports. Passengers suspected of being infected are now placed in segregation.

■ Algeria
With 25 contaminations and one death, it is the most affected country on the continent. The authorities have therefore announced a strengthening of passenger controls at all points of entry (airports, ports, land border). Since February 5, air services to China have been suspended. In addition, Air Algerie has announced the suspension of its links with Rome.

■ Angola
The country does not mention any cases on its territory. However, the authorities have announced that all passengers who have traveled or transited through China, South Korea, Iran and Italy can no longer enter Angolan territory until further notice. A list that may have to evolve depending on the progress of the epidemic. In addition, all passengers arriving in Angola are subject to temperature control and must complete a health questionnaire. In the event of symptoms, mandatory quarantine measures are applied.

■ Benin
No case in Benin, where the authorities decided on measures of self-isolation (at home and contactless for 14 days) on arrival for all passengers from countries affected by the coronavirus.

■ Burkina Faso
Two cases registered in the country. Detection measures are in place at the main points of entry into the country, for all passengers from countries where cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed. Burkina Faso plans to take other measures very quickly, including self-containment.

■ Burundi
No case in the country. Authorities announced on March 5 that passengers from European Union countries, China, South Korea, Iran and Japan will be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival in the country.

■ Cameroon
After the announcement of two positive cases, the epidemiological surveillance system in the various entry points of the country was reinforced. Thermal cameras have for example been installed in the airports of Yaoundé, the capital, and Douala. Airlines serving Cameroon are also called upon to collaborate in tracking travelers. This surveillance extends to the various entry points at land borders. An investigation and rapid intervention team is alert to reports of the slightest suspected case.

■ Central African Republic
No cases recorded. Local authorities have introduced measures to detect suspicious cases on arrival at the country's main entry points (notably the airport).

■ Republic of the Congo
No case recorded. Control measures have been put in place, notably at airports. And the authorities inform that all travelers from high-risk countries are required to quarantine for 14 days. For now, according to the press release from the Ministry of Health, the countries concerned are China, South Korea, Italy, Iran and France. Travelers are placed in home confinement after completing a surveillance form. Measures that can be found on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Health.

■ Democratic Republic of the Congo
One case reported in the DRC. Detection measures have been put in place at the main points of entry into the country, for all passengers from countries where cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed. The DRC takes measures of confinement for 14 days at home for passengers without symptoms from these areas and isolation measures for passengers with symptoms.

■ Ivory Coast
One case reported in the country. Several border control systems have also been put in place to try to stop the spread of the virus. Fourteen days of self-isolation is requested from people from China.

■ Ethiopia
No cases reported from Ethiopia. Installation of a device for checking the temperature of passengers arriving on flights from China and measures to detect symptoms on arrival in the country.

■ Gabon
No case in Gabon. Strengthening of the health system at the air and port land borders. Restriction of travel to or from high risk countries. For nationals and residents with symptoms of the disease in Provence from these countries quarantine of 14 days. Implementation of selective visas in consulates.

■ Guinea
No case recorded. Measures to detect possible symptoms have been put in place, particularly at the main entry points into the territory.

■ Kenya
No case in Kenya. Prohibition of access to the territory for all flights from China and, since March 3, suspension of flights from northern Italy. Temperature controls are also carried out at all points of entry into the territory.

■ Liberia
No contamination reported. Quarantine for nationals arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France and Germany.

■ Madagascar
No contamination reported. Since February 17, 2020, airlines have been prohibited from boarding travelers to Madagascar from or having passed through mainland China and the special administrative regions of Macao and Hong Kong for less than 14 days. Mandatory quarantine measures for people from these same regions. Finally, the authorities have introduced health checks at airports and at bus and train stations.

■ Mali
No case in Mali. Introduction of temperature controls at the country's airports, in Bamako, but also in Kayes, Gao and Timbuktu, where humanitarian and military workers also pass. Fifteen land border crossings are also mobilized to try to prevent the coronavirus from entering Mali. Main measure put forward by the authorities: self-isolation of people entering Mali and coming from countries affected by the coronavirus.

■ Morocco
Six cases registered in Morocco, including one death. The country has therefore introduced measures to detect symptoms of respiratory infection upon arrival on the territory. There is also now an obligation to complete a declarative health form given to all passengers on flights arriving from areas deemed at risk. In addition, several airlines have announced the cancellation of certain flights to and from certain countries that have reported cases, such as La Royal Air Maroc which suspended all its flights to Italy.

■ Mauritius
No case of coronavirus. The Mauritian authorities have put in place restrictions on arrival on their territory, in particular for travelers from the most affected areas. Travelers who have stayed or transited through China (including Hong Kong and Macao), South Korea, Italy and Iran within 14 days will not be allowed to enter Mauritian territory. Travelers resident in Mauritius who have traveled or transited during the 14 days preceding their arrival through the areas mentioned above will be systematically placed in quarantine. Travelers with symptoms who have traveled or transited to Japan, Singapore within the previous 14 days will be quarantined. Finally, any person leaving, or having transited through France and Germany during the 14 days preceding their arrival in Mauritius, will be automatically placed in quarantine, if this person presents symptoms.

■ Mauritania
No case of coronavirus to date. Since February, health authorities have implemented precautionary procedures. Travelers from countries at risk must be placed in solitary confinement for a fortnight.

■ Mozambique
No case identified. However, the authorities have set up a compulsory quarantine system lasting 14 days at home or at the hotel for all people from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Germany and France. Follow-up will be provided by the Mozambican authorities regarding the presence of symptoms.

■ Niger
No case. Strengthening health controls at borders.

■ Nigeria
Two cases in Nigeria. Establishment of detection measures in the main entry points of the country. Misses in quarantine are possible.

■ Uganda
No case in the country. Quarantine (14 days, at home or at the place of accommodation) upon arrival in Uganda of people from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, South Korea and from Iran.

■ Rwanda
No case. Local authorities have taken additional measures to stem the spread of covid-19. In particular, all travelers entering Rwandan territory are subject to temperature control and must answer a health questionnaire. Travelers showing symptoms and coming from countries with confirmed cases of coronavirus will be considered suspect cases and placed in isolation at the nearest hospital for further examination. Travelers from countries where cases of covid-19 have been confirmed, but without symptoms, will be considered "at risk" and will be entered into an electronic registry allowing daily monitoring for the next 14 days leaving the infected country.

■ São Tomé and Principe
No case. The authorities have announced in particular that all passengers are subject to compulsory health control upon arrival in the territory. In the event of fever or any other symptom which could suggest an infection, isolation or quarantine measures are possible.

■ Senegal
Six cases in Senegal. Local authorities have introduced measures to detect suspicious cases on arrival at the country's main ports of entry.

■ Sierra Leone
No case. Local authorities have put in place quarantine measures for any traveler who has stayed in China within 14 days of arriving in the country. Measures to detect possible symptoms have also been put in place at the main entry points into the territory.

■ Tanzania
No case in the country. Implementation of measures to detect suspicious cases on arrival at the main entry points of the country. Passengers with symptoms are placed in isolation for testing and may be placed in quarantine.

■ Chad
No case reported in Chad. The authorities have introduced measures to detect suspected cases upon entering the country and placing them in quarantine (self-isolation) for 14 days from people from countries at risk, including France. The persons concerned must remain at home or at their place of residence during this period and limit any contact with the outside. Other measures are likely to be taken in the coming days.

■ Togo
A case of coronavirus. Authorities have introduced measures to detect suspicious cases upon arrival at the country's main ports of entry. Other measures are likely to be implemented.

■ Tunisia
Seven cases reported. A thermal control is set up at the level of all the points of entry on the territory and any person wishing to enter Tunisia is obliged to fill in a health form, specifying their travel itinerary and contact details on site. Travelers from countries at risk are invited to stay at their home for 14 days after their return (from the date of departure from the exhibition area). They may be followed up by telephone from the health authorities. In addition, several airlines have announced the suspension / cancellation of certain flights to and from certain countries that have reported cases.

■ Zimbabwe
No case. All passengers arriving in Zimbabwe are subject to a temperature check and must complete a health questionnaire (origin and travel route). In the event of a suspicious symptom, the health authorities apply compulsory quarantine measures.

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