Location: Niger
Event: Airport Status, COVID-19 Testing Updates, and Embassy Operations
The Nigerien Ministry of Public Health has confirmed 1,134 cases of COVID-19 in Niger, including 37 cases undergoing treatment, 1,028 recoveries, and 69 deaths.
On July 17, the government of Niger announced that commercial international flights into Niger’s international airports will resume on August 1, 2020. Please note that the rules for COVID-19 testing and quarantine may change at any time with minimal notice.
Arrival
All travelers arriving at international airports in Niger will have to provide evidence that they are COVID-free by presenting a certificate dated in the previous 72-hours that proves that the traveler is COVID-19 negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. If the test certificate is not valid (too old or lab not accepted), a PCR test will be conducted at the traveler’s expense and he/she can wait for the result at home.
Moreover, travelers will have their temperature taken (must be less than 38 Celsius), will be asked to complete a medical information card, and will be interviewed by a Ministry of Health staff. Any traveler could be tested for COVID-19 at the airports in Niger. For anyone with a valid PCR certificate and temperatures higher than 38 Celsius or showing symptoms, a rapid antibody test will be administered at no cost. If positive, a PCR test will be conducted, also at no cost to the traveler.
Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 at the airports will be automatically isolated at a governmental isolation site at the passenger’s expense. Passengers should expect to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days upon their arrival in Niger.
Departure
For flights departing Niger’s international airports, passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test dated within 72 hours of their flight, from the Center for Medical Research and Health (CERMES) for 30,000 CFA. CERMES will start conducting tests on Saturday, August 1, 2020, and can take about 24 to 48 hours for results to be issued. You can call between 8 am to 5:30 pm to make an appointment. The contact information is listed below. Once a certificate of the test result is issued, it will be valid for 72 hours.
COVID-19 Testing in Niger
Location: Google Maps
Centre de Recherches Médicales et Sanitaires
BP 10887 – Niamey YN034 Niger
Phone: 20752040 /20752045 / 88526448 / 80090111
Niger Land Borders
Land borders have been closed since March 19, except for merchandise and passengers with special permission.
U.S. Travel Restrictions
The Presidential Proclamation restricting Travel/Transit in the Schengen Zone is still in place, suspending the travel of foreign nationals who plan to transit a Schengen Zone country on their way to the United States. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain immediate family members of U.S. citizens are not affected by this Proclamation and can travel through a Schengen country to the United States, subject to the rules of the transit country, with an onward ticket that arrives in the U.S. at one of the 15 designated airports approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Visa holders should review the proclamation and travel.state.gov for full details on exceptions to determine if they may be permitted to transit the Schengen Zone and/or travel to the United States.
If you are planning to visit or travel through France, review the websites of the U.S. Embassy in France as well as the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information on restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by relevant authorities. These rules are subject to change and you should regularly check with the French authorities on their transit regulations before planning travel.
Consular Services at U.S. Embassy Niamey
Routine consular services remain suspended, including routine passport renewals, notarial services, and Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services also remain suspended. However, the Embassy will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa and American Citizen Services (ACS). If you are a U.S. citizen requiring assistance, including emergency passport due to urgent travel, please e-mail our consular team at ConsulateNiamey@state.gov. Emergency passports may be issued for individuals who have urgent travel or other compelling needs to replace their expired identification documents. French and Belgian authorities may not accept U.S. emergency passports for entry into their countries but may accept them for connections to onward flights to the United States.
Actions to Take:
- Review travel plans carefully and prepare to abide by Niger’s COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine policies.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Niger.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Niamey, Niger
- +227 20 72 26 61
- +227 99 49 90 66 (after-hours)
- ConsulateNiamey@state.gov
- ne.usembassy.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Niger Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
