Location: Côte d’Ivoire, countrywide
Event: U.S. citizens who choose to travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 as they attempt to return to the United States or attempt to travel from one overseas location to another. U.S. citizens who do choose to travel internationally should make contingency plans, as they may have to remain in a country longer than originally planned, which will be at their own expense. The Department recommends international travel insurance with coverage for COVID-related trip cancellation and medical benefits.
The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides country-specific information and advice regarding COVID-19 on each U.S. Embassy’s website. The U.S. Embassy Abidjan’s website is here: https://ci.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.
Flying to the United States
Before boarding a flight to the U.S., all air travelers aged two and older, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, are required to show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight’s departure to the United States, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. Please note, this is within one calendar day – not 24 hours – before the first flight in the itinerary, and both PCR and antigen tests are accepted. For an evening flight departing Abidjan before midnight, the test may be taken anytime the day prior (e.g., for a 10:00 p.m. flight on Tuesday, you may be tested anytime on Monday or Tuesday). For flights leaving after midnight, same-day results from a test taken the day prior will be required (e.g., if your flight leaves at 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, you must be tested on Monday). Consider this when booking travel. CDC guidance allows for testing en route, but airlines may deny boarding for individuals without a test at check-in. For additional information regarding this requirement, please visit the CDC’s website and FAQs here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html.
Due to the rapidly changing requirements and decreasing testing capacity in Côte d’Ivoire, the United States, and most other countries, travelers are experiencing extreme difficulty getting the test they need in time to suit their travel plans.
The Ivoirian Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene offers COVID-19 PCR tests, and results are routinely available no later than 48 hours after testing. Information on approved testing facilities is available at https://deplacement-aerien.gouv.ci/#/center. Private medical service providers may offer COVID-19 testing options – including options that promise to provide results within 24 hours. Travelers are advised to review the clinic – as well as the Ivoirian Ministry of Health and CDC – websites carefully to ensure compliance with Côte d’Ivoire and U.S. entry and exit requirements. The U.S. Embassy has no further information about other COVID-19 testing facilities in Côte d’Ivoire. Beware of scams from entities not affiliated with a known business or clinic.
Arriving to Côte d’Ivoire
The Ivoirian Ministry of Health announced on December 1 that all incoming air travelers from countries with confirmed COVID-19 omicron variant cases, including the United States, will be subject to a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival. This is now in effect at Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport in Abidjan. Ivoirian officials will conduct a single antigen, nasal-swab test, the results of which will be provided by SMS. In the event of a positive test, they will recommend quarantine and will suggest that you obtain a PCR test. The Ivoirian government does not charge an additional fee for the post-arrival test.
Testing on arrival does not eliminate the need for a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of arrival at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport. Travelers from the United States will likely need to locate a facility capable of producing same-day results to comply with this new requirement. All travelers must continue to obtain this test and follow other host-nation-mandated requirements, including submitting an Air Travel Declaration.
Subject to Change
As always, U.S. citizens are reminded that foreign governments in any country may implement restrictions with little or no notice, and that transportation schedules and health regulations are always subject to change. Travelers should contact their airline directly for specific information about testing requirements.
In addition, some countries have imposed other travel requirements. These may include quarantine on arrival, mandatory COVID-19 testing requirements, proof of vaccination, travel restrictions, and closed borders.
We update our COVID-19 resources whenever we receive new information, and encourage U.S. citizens to review Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID-19 information pages before travel. U.S. citizens should also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for regular updates and follow TravelGov on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. More information on international travel can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad.html and here: https://cdc.gov/travelrequirements.
Actions to Take:
- Review the CDC’s travel health notice for Côte d’Ivoire.
- Review the State.Gov Travel Alert for Côte d’Ivoire.
- Review the S. Embassy Abidjan’s Website COVID-19 Information for Côte d’Ivoire.
- Check with airlines and transit and destination countries for how COVID testing, and vaccine requirements might impact travel.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Abidjan
U.S. Citizen emergencies: (+225) 27 2249 4000
Outside of Embassy Hours: (+225) 2249 4450
ABJAmCit@state.gov
https://ci.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Côte d’Ivoire Country Information
Follow U.S. Embassy Abidjan on Facebook and Twitter
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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