Ghana ends PCR and antigen tests for fully vaccinated travellers

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced an end to mandatory pre-departure PCR test and antigen test on arrival at Kotoka International Airport for fully vaccinated in-bound travellers effective, Monday, March 28 2022.

After two years of strict enforcement of these travel restrictions to curb the importation and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the president announced the easing of these and other restrictions to help lift the economy.

“From Monday, 28th March, fully vaccinated travellers into Ghana will not take PCR tests from the country of embarkation to allow them entry into the country through the KIA, and will not be tested on arrival,” President Akufo-Addo said in his Sunday, March 27, 2022 address to the nation.

Lifting of the restrictions on in-bound travellers by government is imperative for Ghana to remain competitive as a destination, given that other key tourist destinations in Africa and other parts of the world have repealed these restrictions days earlier.

South Africa, Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius Namibia, and others have all dropped PCR test as a requirement for fully vaccinated in-bound travellers.

For unvaccinated citizens and foreign residents, a negative PCR is required and they would be subjected to antigen test on arrival at Kotoka International Airport.

“Citizens and foreign residents in Ghana, who are not fully vaccinated, would, however, need to provide a negative PCR test result of not more than 48-hours, will undergo an antigen test upon arrival at KIA, and will be offered vaccination there,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Role of Frontiers in COVID-19 fight

The President lauded Frontier Healthcare Services Limited for helping in the fight through the on-arrival antigen tests conducted at the Upper Arrival Hall of Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport that helped in screening incoming passengers .

“It is worth noting that the establishment of the COVID-19 testing infrastructure at the Kotoka International Airport by Frontier Healthcare Services Ltd, at its own cost, has been key to our ability to limit successfully the importation of the virus into Ghana through the airport.
“The efficacy of the testing regime at KIA has won global admiration, and has been applauded by all those who have undergone its testing.

“It has been one of the reasons why Ghana was not at the receiving end of several of the travel bans imposed by the West at the height of the pandemic, for which many African countries were affected,” he said.

Source: aviationghana.com