Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Niamey, Niger

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Location:  Niger

Event:  COVID-19 Updates and Consular Operations

There is an increasing percentage of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in Niger.  The Nigerien Ministry of Public Health has confirmed on December 2nd a total of 1,640 cases of COVID-19 in Niger, including 76 deaths.

IMPORTANT:  Effective November 27, 2020:  All travelers entering Niger have to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test (delivered 72 hours before checking-in to begin travel to Niger).  Travelers who intend to stay for more than 14 days are required to provide a contact telephone number in Niger and to surrender their passports at the airport.  All passengers are then required to go into quarantine for 7 days at a precise address/home.  Government of Niger officials will visit each individual in quarantine to verify they are respecting quarantine regulations.  On the 7th day, a free COVID-19 test will be given to the traveler by a Nigerien Ministry of Public Health staff.  If the test comes back negative, their passports will be available for pick up at the Direction de la Surveillance Du Territoire (DST) and the traveler will be permitted to exit quarantine status.  All travelers staying less than 14 days must show proof of their itinerary (e.g. ticket, letter of invitation).

The U.S. Embassy has protested the retaining of U.S. citizen passports by Nigerien authorities, but we have no way to tell when this will be resolved.

Arrival

According to Government of Niger regulations, all travelers arriving at international airports in Niger have to provide evidence that they are COVID-free by presenting a certificate dated 72-hours before checking-in that attests 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 (in Niamey).

Niger will fine airlines for boarding passengers who do not have a valid certificate of a negative test result taken within the previous 72 hours.  Foreign nationals who refuse a COVID-19 test at the airport will be denied entry into Niger.

All travelers will have their temperature taken (must be less than 38 Celsius) and will be asked to complete a medical information card.  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.

According to a November 13 Council of Ministers decree, all passengers will surrender their passports to DST officials until they successfully conclude quarantine by presenting a negative COVID-19 test result.  All passengers are required to self-quarantine for a period of 7 days following their entry to Niger.  Individuals in quarantine could expect to be visited by Government of Niger officials during their 7-day quarantine period.  Officials will seek to verify the efficacy of the quarantine.  Upon completion of 7 days of quarantine, the individual will be provided a free COVID-19 test.  Upon receiving a negative test, the individuals can retrieve their passports at the Direction de la Surveillance Du Territoire (DST) office.

Passport Pick Up

Direction de la Surveillance Du Territoire (DST)

Location: Google Maps

RN6, Niamey, 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.  The CERMES COVID-19 testing takes 24 hours for results to be issued.  You can call between 8:00 am and 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.

Consular Services at U.S. Embassy Niamey

The Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Niamey has resumed routine processing of U.S. passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) applications, as well as offer notarial services on Mondays and Thursdays.  All service requests are by appointment only.  Please visit the Embassy’s website.

Please note if you have a confirmed appointment at U.S. Embassy Niamey, you must: wear a mask or face covering at all times while at the Embassy; cancel your appointment if you are sick or feel unwell for any reason (we will work with you to reschedule); be punctual – you will not be permitted entry more than 15 minutes before or after the time of your appointment; maintain a 2m social distance whenever possible and agree to have your temperature taken prior to entering the Embassy.

If you display any symptoms of illness that appear to be or are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19, you will not be permitted entry to the Embassy.

Visa Services

Both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services remain suspended, except for mission critical, emergency, and visas that can be processed under current Presidential Proclamation Exceptions.  More information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html

Actions to Take:

Assistance:

By | 3 December, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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