Two Italians have been denied entry to Ghana as the country steps up its efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah confirmed the incident yesterday when he said the Italians were coming from one of the epicentres of the spread of the virus and the decision to return them was in line with the government’s travel advisory plan.
“Last night, I think there were two Italians who were coming from the epicentre and as we got the confirmation of the details, even though the aircraft was in the air, we had to make arrangements at the airport to ensure they do not get off the aircraft and they have been returned to their original destination.
“So although we are yet to hit the 1 pm deadline today, some soft enforcement has already commenced at our ports’ entry,” he said.
Travel ban
The government on Sunday, March 15, announced new travel directives for entries into Ghana after the confirmation of positive case of the coronavirus in Ghana.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that travellers from coronavirus-hit countries with cases exceeding 200 would not be allowed in the Ghanaian jurisdiction and said travels to Ghana were strongly being discouraged.
He had said airlines had been instructed not to allow persons from countries with over 200 cases of COVID-19 into Ghana and further announced that “mandatory 14 days self-quarantine for persons who are otherwise allowed to enter the country.”
“All travel to Ghana is at this stage strongly discouraged until further notice. Any traveller except for Ghanaian citizens who has been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of COVID-19 will not be allowed into the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Airlines are instructed not to allow such persons into the jurisdiction,” he said.
US Embassy
In a related development, United States Embassy in Accra has suspended ‘routine immigrant and non-immigrant’ visa appointments, effective March 17, due to the coronavirus.
“We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a date at this time,” a statement from the Embassy said.
According to the U.S. Embassy, this directive comes on the back of the government’s call to observe prescribed social distancing and personal hygiene measures to prevent community spread and “not in response to any known or suspected COVID-19 exposure at any of our facilities”.
“Due to the increase and rapid spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) both in the United States of America and globally, it has become necessary to take precautionary measures to protect clients,” the Embassy said in a statement.
“In this regard, the Consular Department will suspend both mailed and in-person services for the issuance of Ghanaian visas and passports effective March 17, 2020,” the statement added.
More Embassies
The Embassy of Norway in Accra was the first to temporarily shut down its offices after one of its staff tested positive for coronavirus.
“The Embassy of Norway can confirm that one of our colleagues has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The person is in quarantine and the Embassy is in close dialogue with Ghana Health Service,” the Embassy made the announcement via its ‘Facebook’ page on Friday, March 13.
The Netherlands Embassy also shut down its visa service centre till further notice, with the reason that they share the same building with the Norwegian Embassy.
(e-mail: tarluemelvin12@gmail.com)
BY Melvin Tarlue