Ghana fines airlines flying unvaccinated or COVID positive passengers
FILE - A health worker monitors a screen showing a thermal scan to check the temperatures of passengers at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana Jan. 30, 2020.
- Airlines will be fined for every passenger who arrives without proof of vaccination, a negative COVID test result, or who tests positive on arrival.
- Any non-Ghanaians breaking the new rules may also be refused entry.
- Ghanaians will be allowed entry but subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a designated facility.
The Ghana Airports Company Limited said in a
statement that beginning Tuesday, all arriving passengers 18 years and older
must provide evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
It said airlines will be fined $3,500 for
every passenger who arrives without proof of vaccination, a negative COVID test
result, or who tests positive on arrival.
It added that any non-Ghanaians breaking the
new rules may also be refused entry.
The statement said Ghanaians will be allowed
entry but subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a designated facility.
Ghana’s health ministry ordered the strict
measures on Monday as African countries are facing the challenge of the omicron
variant and getting people vaccinated.
Ghana Health Service Director General Dr
Patrick Kuma-Aboagye told a local radio station the measures were needed.
He said about 75% of all the people who test
positive for the virus at the airport were unvaccinated.