The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reviewed its Covid-19 protocol following the increase in recorded cases of the Omicron variant at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Per the new protocol, all persons 18 years and above arriving in Ghana will be required to provide evidence of full Covid-19 vaccination.
Also, all Ghanaians traveling out of the country are to be fully vaccinated.
“These directives are to be implemented effective midnight 12th December 2021,” the GHS said in a statement signed by the Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye.
It said all unvaccinated Ghanaians and residents of Ghana who are currently outside the country and intend to return within 14 days from the midnight of December 12, 2021 are exempted.
However, the statement indicated that they would be vaccinated on arrival at the airport.
The GHS said the current surge in Covid-19 cases is being reflected at the KIA.
It indicated that in November 2020, 168 cases were detected compared to 241 cases in November 2021, an increase of over 40%.
“We have since been recording an average of 20 positive cases a day at KIA. For these positive cases, there is a significant difference in the percentage of Covid-19 infection based on the vaccination status recorded at KIA.
Available data from KIA, show that a Covid-19 positive person is three times more likely to be unvaccinated,” it said.
The GHS said out of the 34 cases detected, 75% of them were unvaccinated.
“Over the last two weeks, cases from airports account for about 60% of the total cases recorded in the country.
The current increase in cases together with the detection of the Omicron variant among international arrivals and the expected increase during the festive season calls for urgent actions to prevent a major surge in Covid-19 cases in Ghana,” the health service said.
*Fully Vaccinated*
Explaining what a fully vaccinated person means, the GHS said, “a person is fully vaccinated when he/she has taken the full dose of vaccines approved and registered by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana.
You need two doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, or Sputnik V to be declared as Fully Vaccinated.” it added. “One dose is required for Johnson and Johnson to be declared fully vaccinated.”
*Unchanged Requirements*
The GHS also indicated that a 72-hour Negative PCR test is still required before travel as well as
a completion of the Health Declaration Form.
“ All persons who arrive in Ghana will undergo an Antigen test,” it said.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri