The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has updated COVID-19 protocols for travelers arriving from China at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as a result of a surge in cases.
The new guidelines take effect from 6 January 2023.
Per the new guidelines, all persons arriving in Ghana (citizens, residents, and visitors) who are fully vaccinated will be exempt from any form of testing done either prior to boarding from the originating country or on arrival in Ghana, except passengers originating their journey from China.
“In addition, such passengers will be required to undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport at no cost,” the statement read.
According to the statement, passengers may, however, be randomly selected and offered a test on arrival.
Non-Ghanaians found to have used “fake” or “forged” vaccination certificates shall be quarantined and returned to their point of embarkation at the passenger’s own cost, the statement added.
“Airlines that bring passengers to Kotoka International Airport who are not fully vaccinated or passengers originating their journey from China without a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result 48 hours prior to departure would be surcharged $3,500,” it added.
China reported three new COVID deaths for Monday, taking its official death toll since the pandemic began to 5,253.
On Tuesday, the People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s official newspaper, cited Chinese experts as saying the illness caused by the virus was relatively mild for most people.
“Severe and critical illnesses account for 3% to 4% of infected patients currently admitted to designated hospitals in Beijing,” Tong Zhaohui, vice president of the Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, told the newspaper.
