On January 3, 2021, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced stricter COVID-19 protocols for Kotoka International Airport to counter a new coronavirus variant.
All arriving passengers testing positive, whether symptomatic or not, must isolate for seven days at government-funded health facilities or isolation centers.
Mandatory Testing and Sequencing
The government will conduct a repeat COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival for those in isolation, including genomic sequencing to detect the new variant. Ghana covers the costs of both isolation and testing, ensuring robust screening for international travelers.
Kotoka’s Rigorous Testing Regime
President Akufo-Addo assured Ghanaians that Kotoka’s testing protocols rank among the world’s strictest. “Our Food and Drugs Authority certifies our ability to detect the new COVID-19 variant,” he said, emphasizing Ghana’s commitment to preventing the virus’s spread.
Rising Cases Among Arrivals
Since Kotoka reopened on September 1, 2020, 712 of 118,278 tested travelers were positive for COVID-19 as of January 1, 2021. December 2020 saw 387 cases, with the positivity rate climbing from 0.26% in September to 0.93%, prompting the tightened measures.
Existing Travel Protocols
Arriving passengers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. All travelers aged five and older undergo a $150 antigen test on arrival, with results in 30 minutes. Positive cases were to be managed by health authorities for clinical care.
Protecting Ghana’s Health
The new measures aim to curb the spread of the new variant, which has alarmed global health officials. By strengthening protocols, Ghana seeks to safeguard public health while maintaining safe international travel amid the ongoing pandemic.
