COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Information

Last updated:  06/22/2022

Effective January 12, 2022, non-U.S. citizen airline passengers traveling to the United States from a foreign country aged 18 years and older must provide proof of full vaccination prior to boarding their flight. Check the CDC website for additional information on Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers. All air passengers to the United States will be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. All air passengers to the United States will be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. Testing for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel is recommended but is no longer required.

Country-Specific Information

  • Botswana has been designated Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions by the Department of State, aligned with the CDC’s Level 1: COVID-19 Low Travel Information.
  • Gatherings included funerals, weddings, business meetings, and workshops, are permitted with continued safety protocols:  wearing of masks, social distancing, and the use of hand sanitizers when regular handwashing is not accessible.
  • Restaurants have resumed operates at full capacity as permitted by their trading licenses.
  • All sports and recreational activities have resumed.
  • The sale and consumption of alcohol are again permitted.
  • All schools are open and follow safety protocols.
  • Charter flights may be available for tourists into Kasane and Maun. Please check directly with charter companies and tour companies regarding the most current schedules and regulations.
  • Connecting commercial flights into Botswana are operating from hubs in South Africaand Ethiopia.  U.S. citizen travelers are advised to confirm COVID-19-related entry requirements for transit countries.  As of March 20th, 2022, all travelers into Botswana require either proof of having been fully vaccinated or a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Botswana. The Government of Botswana has issued a statement saying that those without proof of vaccination and without a 72-hour negative PCR result who refuse testing will not be admitted into the country.  Please note that enforcement of regulations may not be consistent.
  • Medical evacuations for serious injury and illness are typically organized to South Africa by tourist agencies and safari companies.

All land border crossings to South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia are open. Please check the respective embassy websites for the latest on transit, testing, and border crossing availability at https://za.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/, https://zm.usembassy.gov/, https://zw.usembassy.gov/, and https://na.usembassy.gov/.

COVID-19 Testing

  • Is COVID-19 testing available for U.S. citizens in Botswana? Yes, both PCR and antigen testing is available.
  • Are test results reliably available within one calendar day? Yes.  Same-day test results are widely available through private clinics such as Diagnofirm. Cost for testing at Diagnofirm is 750 BWP (~65 USD).  The costs are borne by the individual being tested; payment can be made by cash or credit card.
  • Test results are normally provided by email, text message, and hardcopy.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

  • Has the government of Botswana approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use?  Yes, multiple vaccines are available for citizens and non-citizens alike.
  • Which vaccines are available in Botswana?   Both FDA-approved and WHO Emergency Use-listed vaccines are available.
  • The U.S. government does not provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.  Others are required to show proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Botswana.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?
  • Travelers are granted visa-free entry for 60 days at the Port of Entry.

Movement Restrictions

  • Is a curfew in place? No.
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?  No.

Quarantine Information 

  •  Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?  No.
  • Is quarantine required (or recommended) for arriving international travelers?  No.

Transportation Options

  • Are commercial flights operating?  Yes.
  • Is public transportation operating?  Yes.

Consular Operations

  • Routine citizen services are performed on an appointment basis.Email ConsularGaborone@state.gov for appointment requests.
  • Limited visa services have resumed with COVID-19 protocols in place.

Local Resources:

By | 1 April, 2020 | Topics: Alert, Exclude, Health Issues

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