COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Sierra Leone (15 April Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter the country.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Two tests are required on arrival - a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and a COVID-19 PCR test. If the RDT test results are negative, travellers will be allowed to leave the airport, but required to maintain public health and isolation protocols until they receive the results of the PCR test which may take up to 48 hours. If the RDT result is positive, the passenger will be quarantined at a nearby facility until the RT-PCR results are received 24-72 hours later.

• Children aged 5 years and below are exempt from taking a COVID-19 test.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• COVID-19 test certificates issued in another country are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Arriving travellers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the 7 days prior to departure to Sierra Leone.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Generally, inbound passengers are not required to quarantine. However, arriving passengers who test positive on the RDT test will be required to isolate at a hotel in Lungi at their own expense until the PCR test result is obtained. The PCR result supersedes the RDT result. Those with a positive PCR test result will be sent to a state treatment facility. Other passengers listed as contacts will be required to isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.

• Based on the above restrictions, the travellers will be either exempted from quarantine or required to enter quarantine until they test negative.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers to Sierra Leone must have authorization from the government of Sierra Leone before travelling. The online form is available at this online portal. To get this authorization, travellers must have:

• A pre-departure public health passenger locator form;

• Proof of payment made through the online portal for both COVID-19 PCR and RDT tests to be completed on arrival in Sierra Leone.

• Arrivals must submit their passports and the completed health locator form to the immigration authorities upon arrival. The passports will be retained until the passengers are tested negative on arrival.

Recommended Border App?**

• No

• Currently, there is no app available for contact tracing.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International flights to and from Sierra Leone have resumed.

• Lungi International Airport is open for commercial flights. Flights may be limited.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Land border with Liberia is closed while overland travel with Guinea is allowed. Maritime borders remain closed.

• Anyone travelling to Sierra Leone must get authorization from the Government of Sierra Leone through the online portal before travel. The online form is available at this online portal. To get authorization, travellers must have:

• A pre-departure public health passenger locator form;

• Proof of payment made through the online portal for both COVID-19 PCR and RDT tests to be completed on arrival in Sierra Leone.

• All departing passengers (except children below five years of age) will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure, at their own expense.

• Departing travellers must upload the PCR test certificate through the portal within 72 hours prior to departure. Anyone staying less than five days out of Sierra Leone, after arrival they will not need to provide a COVID-19 test certificate. However, these travellers should have on hand the certificate used for arrival in Sierra Leone.

• Departing passengers will need to arrive at the exit point at least three to four hours before check-in time.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no curfew in place.

• The State of Emergency has been lifted.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100 people.

• Social distancing must be maintained between individuals.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Masks are required.

• Public transportation is operating with capacity restrictions.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are open on weekdays and must be closed on weekends.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Bars are open on weekdays and must be closed on weekends.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship, churches, and mosques open. Religious services are limited to 90-minute sessions.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Public gatherings are allowed; however, gatherings of over 100 people are prohibited.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in public places.

• It is now compulsory to wear a mask when in a vehicle.

Other

• Clubs remain closed.

• Anyone suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms should call the authorized emergency line of the Government of Sierra Leone emergency at 117 (local).

• Sporting activities are allowed without spectators.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.