The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated entry requirements for air travelers to the United States. Effective December 6, 2021:
- All American citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel are required to have a negative COVID-19 test (PCR, rapid antigen, or proctored self-test) conducted within one (1) calendar day of travel to the U.S. OR documentation of recovery < 90 day prior to travel.
- If a traveler is departing for the U.S. at 10 PM on January 19, they would have to present a negative test result for a test that was taken any time after 12:01 AM on January 18.
- This applies to all travelers ≥2 years old regardless of vaccination status, country of origin, U.S. citizenship
This is in response to the omicron variant and the ongoing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The CDC continues to recommend you not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated. For further information on the updated entry requirements, please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html for more information.
This updated guidance is in addition to the required testing by the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL).
As receiving COVID-19 test results within one calendar day may be challenging in Sierra Leone, we are recommending that travellers may need to plan to transit to an airport that is able to offer rapid tests. Please find additional travel information below concerning testing capabilities of common transit airports between Sierra Leone and the United States:
Paris-CDG: Departing and connecting passengers can make an appointment online for Paris-CDG airport https://www.doctolib.fr/centre-depistage-covid/roissy/depistage-covid-aeroport-charles-de-gaulles and be tested without leaving the terminal. See https://www.parisaeroport.fr/passagers/services/test-pcr-antigenique-covid-19 for more information.
Frankfurt Airport: Connecting passengers can make an appointment online for Frankfurt International Airport https://corona.centogene.com/login and be tested without leaving the terminal. See: https://www.frankfurt-airport.com/en/flights-and-transfer/covid-19/coronavirus-testing-at-the-airport.html for more information
Brussels Airport: There is no testing inside the airport terminal. Ecolog does offer COVID-19 PCR testing outside the airport terminal on Departure level; you can make an appointment at http://brusselsairport.ecocare.center/ See: https://www.brusselsairport.be/en/passengers/the-impact-of-the-coronavirus/covid-19-test-centre-at-brussels-airport for more information
Dakar: Blaise Biagne International Airport: No COVID-19 testing is available at the airport.
Ghana: Kotoka International Airport: COVID antigen testing is available through https://myfrontierhealthcare.com/
Istanbul International Airport: Departing and connecting passengers can make an appointment online for COVID-19 PRC, antigen and antibody testing 24/7 at https://istairport.com/en/announcements/istanbul-airport-test-center-is-at-your-service-24-7
Please remember while traveling:
- Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. This strengthens a travel process already in place to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Access to travelers’ contact information will allow U.S. federal, state, and local health departments, and agencies to share appropriate health and public health information necessary to help keep the public safe.
Exit and entry requirements, travel restrictions, and testing availability are subject to change at any time. It is the responsibility of the traveler to confirm the most current information.
Actions to Take:
- Monitor the CDC website for the latest guidance regarding testing requirements.
- Check with your air carriers or travel representative prior to departure for the United States.
- Check the COVID-19 Sierra Leone Specific Information page for updated information on COVID-19 related to the availability of testing.
- Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Click here for our Travel to the U.S. FAQs.
U.S. Embassy Freetown
Southridge, Hill Station
Sierra Leone
+(232) 99 105 500
+(232) 99 105 029 (after hours)
Please send consular service inquiries to ConsularFreetown@state.gov
