Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kampala (June 17, 2020)

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kampala (June 17, 2020)

Location: Uganda

Event:  There are 732 confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently being reported in Uganda according to the Ministry of Health.

Flight June 24:

The U.S. Embassy has been made aware of a flight on June 24 from Entebbe to Amsterdam with onward connections to the United States available. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate the flight and Simba Travelcare is organizing the flight. Contact Simba Travelcare at sales@travelcare.co.ug or 0754-222-600 to make a booking for this flight.

Flight details:

June 24 – KL Charter – Entebbe-Amsterdam Departs 23:30 Arrives 07:00 (June 25)

Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces at 23kgs per piece.

Possible final U.S. destinations via connecting flights in Amsterdam include: New York City, Washington National, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta

Cost: Varies according to final destination. Estimated cost to New York City is $1585.

Please inquire with Simba Travelcare about their pet policy for this flight.

Note that this is a specially arranged commercial flight in order to accommodate foreigners wishing to depart Uganda. The prices and cancellation policies are set by the organizing agency and the airline. Please also note that there are no free repatriation flights for U.S. citizens. According to U.S. law, departure assistance to U.S. citizens must be provided on a reimbursable basis. The U.S. Embassy has no plans to charter an evacuation flight out of Uganda but if we were to do so, the U.S. Embassy would require passengers to sign a promissory note for the loan and reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the flight.

Interested parties should verify that their passports and other documentation are current and valid for at least six months from today’s date. For emergency American Citizen Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website.

COVID-19 Restrictions:

On June 1, President Museveni announced changes to the current restrictions. On June 4, public transportation resumed at half-capacity of the vehicle’s normal passenger load. Private vehicles may operate with three or fewer passengers in the vehicle, as long as all passengers wear face coverings. The ban on boda bodas carrying passengers has been extended until further notice. Both private and public transport is banned in the border districts, schools remain closed, the curfew (1900h to 0630h) remains in place, public gatherings are still prohibited, and churches and mosques are still closed. In public, all must wear face coverings. The Entebbe International Airport, as well as all land borders, remain closed to passenger traffic.

Visa Status of Foreign Residents and Visitors in Uganda:

The Ministry of Internal Affairs opened their office for visa renewals and other routine immigration matters on June 15. Foreign residents and visitors with visa issues or questions can visit their office Monday through Friday from 0900 to 1400.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs under the Doctorate of Citizenship and Immigration is the issuing authority for Uganda visas and is the entity that may be able to provide guidance:

Toll Free Numbers 0800 199 003/4
Tel: 0414 595 945/ 0752 451 811
Email: info@immigration.go.ug

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.

Actions to Take:

Visit the Government of Uganda website on COVID-19
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Uganda.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States