Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Gaborone, Botswana

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Location: Botswana

Event: Ethiopian Airlines Flight Gaborone – Addis Ababa June 3

There are still no plans to resume commercial flight operations out of Botswana.

Ethiopian Airlines is operating a flight from Gaborone to Addis Ababa on June 3, 2020.  Onward flights to the United States and Europe are available from Addis Ababa.  The cost to fly to Washington, DC (IAD) will be approximately $3000, though the exact cost is yet to be determined.  The flight must be booked directly with Ethiopian Airlines.

Before attempting to book any flights, you will need to register your interest with the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone using the following link:

Botswana Repatriation Request Form

If you are travelling with others, you must complete the form for each person in your group. Entering your data into this form will add you to a list to get separate emails with flight information and logistics.  If you have already completed this form, please do not complete it again.  If you have previously completed the form and no longer wish to depart Botswana, please contact us at ConsularGaborone@state.gov so we can remove you from the list.

Repatriation requests can also be made through our website at https://bw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.

Everyone who has registered using this form will receive further details on the flight via email using the contact addresses provided in the form.

If you are traveling from other zones in Botswana to Gaborone, you will need to secure a movement permit from the Government of Botswana at https://www.gov.bw/.

Those traveling within their zone of residence no longer require movement permits. 

Please note that the situation in Ethiopia is fluid and subject to change without notice.

The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has instituted a mandatory 14-day quarantine procedure for all individuals entering Ethiopia.  There are two different types of passengers and at this time, they are being treated as follows:

Ethiopia as a final destination:  Individuals must quarantine at their own expense at one of these designated hotels:

Skylight Hotel – reservation@ethiopianskylighthotel.com or +251 116 818 181

Ghion Hotel – info@ghionhotel.com or +251 115 513 222

The Skylight Hotel should be the first choice since it is in close proximity to the airport. Please note that the Ghion Hotel is the less expensive hotel, but the Embassy has received numerous complaints about the condition of the hotel (no hot water, unclean, limited food) so travelers should be aware that the hotel may not meet their expectations based on U.S. standards.

Transit Passengers: At this time, transiting commercial passengers are quarantined at one of the above hotels until it is time to return to Bole International Airport for their flight to the United States.  If a passenger arrived on a regularly-scheduled commercial flight they can remain in temporary quarantine until their next flight.  If the layover will exceed one overnight stay in Ethiopia, there is a risk in the traveler will be subject to a mandatory quarantine situation.  We strongly recommend transiting passengers make every attempt to avoid layovers requiring an overnight stay.

Symptomatic Passengers: If any transiting passengers appear symptomatic for COVID-19 (likely manifested through the presence of a fever), they will be taken to Bole Chefa Health clinic to be further tested.  These individuals must remain under the supervision of medical professionals within Ethiopia until cleared. Bole Chefa Health Clinic does not approximate U.S. standards for care or comfort.

In the meantime, please do not forget to register in STEP for the latest alerts and information from the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone at https://step.state.gov.

If you are looking for the latest announcements, the best place to find the updates, lists, regulations, and maps is at https://twitter.com/BWGovernment.

Since the outbreak there have been 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Botswana.  The number continues to rise slowly.  If the threat exceeds the current level at any point, the original 28-day lockdown rules, or stricter rules, may be put back in place.  Please continue to check the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Facebook page and https://twitter.com/BWGovernment for the latest information.

Actions to Take:

Assistance:

By | 29 May, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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