Kotoka International Airport (KIA) will reopen and resume its operations in international flights effective September 1.
This was made known by the President in his 16th update on the easing of restrictions in some areas of national life. He had indicated earlier that the decision to open air travels will be dependent on “preparations, and simulation exercise underway, including the installation of COVID-19 testing facilities at Kotoka International Airport”.
According to President Akufo-Addo, pertaining to reopening the airport, he is “satisfied that it is safe to do so”, after thorough work done by designated institutions.
“I am glad to announce that Kotoka International Airport will reopen and resume operations from Tuesday, 1st September 2020. This decision has been communicated to international airlines across the world. It has been well-established that the very first cases of COVID-19 in Ghana were imported into our shores. We are determined to make sure this scenario does not recur. The commitment to ensuring that the gradual easing of restrictions, including the reopening of our airports, does not lead to the importation or resurgence of the virus into our country, is firmly in place”.
As preemptive measures to ensure the halt in importation of any new cases, he further listed some guidelines, which he indicated will be communicated to airlines who anticipate resuming flights to Ghana.
“Any passenger arriving in Ghana must be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. The test should have been done not more than seventy-two (72) hours before the scheduled departure from the country of origin. Disembarking passengers must do so wearing face masks, also, upon disembarking from the airplane, each passenger will undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test at the airport terminal, at a fee to be borne by the passenger. The test result will be available within thirty (30) minutes”.
He stressed that, “children under the ages of five (5) will not be required to undergo testing at the airport. Passengers, who test positive for COVID-19, will be handled by the health authorities for further clinical assessment and management”.
However, “Passengers, who test negative, can, thereupon, enter Ghana to go about their lawful activities, and will be advised to continue to observe COVID-19 safety precautions during their stay in Ghana”.
Additionally, he noted that “the Ministries of Information, Health and Aviation, and their respective agencies- the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority – will spell out in further detail the protocols surrounding the re-opening of our international airport, and the procedures to be adhered to by passengers arriving in Ghana at the COVID-19 media briefing tomorrow, Monday, 31″ August”.
