Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kampala (May 8, 2020)

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kampala (May 8, 2020)

Location: Uganda

Event:  There are 101 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Uganda according to the Ministry of Health.

Flight Tuesday, May 12:

The U.S. Embassy is working with Satguru Travel to arrange a flight out of Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday, May 12. The government of Uganda is considering the U.S. Embassy’s request to allow this flight to happen while the airport remains closed.

Ethiopian Airlines will operate the flight which will take passengers to Addis Ababa in time to connect with onward Ethiopian Airlines flights to the United States. Interested travelers can work with Satguru Travel to arrange a final destination in the United States. If you are interested in departing Uganda, consider booking this flight now. To book, contact Satguru Travel at reservations.kla@satgurutravel.com.

This is not a U.S. government-controlled flight, nor is it a charter flight. Pricing, availability, and cancellations will be controlled by the travel agency and airline.

Travel to the Airport:

If you successfully reserve the flight, please contact your Resident District Commissioner to request permission to transport yourself to the airport.

Note:

Please also note that free repatriation flights for U.S. citizens do not exist. 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. With no plans for such a flight, we will continue to inform U.S. citizens if we are made aware of any specially arranged outgoing commercial flights or flights chartered by embassies of other nations with seat availability.

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 May 4, President Museveni announced a 14-day extension of the lockdown measures, with some alterations. Selected businesses will be allowed to operate, but the ban on personal and public transport, as well as the curfew (1900-0630), remain in effect. Additionally, all persons are now required to wear a face covering in public. Entebbe International Airport remains closed to regularly scheduled commercial traffic.

Waiver of Illegal Stay for Foreign Residents and Visitors in Uganda:

The Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs announced for all foreign residents and visitors that any fines accruing from an illegal stay in Uganda from March 18 to May 17 have been waived. Foreign residents and visitors with expired immigration status can freely access services in the country without the threat of being arrested.

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-19 for information on conditions in Uganda.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States