GUIDANCE ON COVID-19 AIRPORT SCREENING PROCEDURES AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

by | Aug 1, 2020 | Announcement

 

 

  • Introduction

 

Zambia has four international airports namely Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula in Livingstone and Mfuwe in Mambwe district. In the light of the re-opening of the airports as guided by the Presidential directive of 25th June 2020, the following shall apply:

 

  • Documentation

 

Travelers Health Questionnaires will be provided, through the office of the airport manager, to all airlines entering Zambia. These will be pre-filled on board the aircraft. After disembarkation, these forms will be surrendered to health staff at the airport for review. Staff will review traveler’s cards and check completeness of entries on the Traveler’s Health Questionnaire focusing on contact details such as address and telephone numbers.

 

  • Entry screening

 

Entry screening will be conducted at all airports. All travelers entering the airport will be subjected to temperature and symptom screening.

 

  • Testing

 

All travelers coming into the country through the international airports will be required to  provide a negative SARS CoV-2 PCR test result. The test should have been conducted within the previous 14 days. Travelers not meeting this requirement will not be allowed in the country. Quality Assurance testing for SARS CoV2 using nucleic acid based testing platform may be conducted on randomly selected passengers presenting these negative results.

 

  • Symptomatic travelers

 

The following category of travelers will be tested for SARS CoV2 at the airport:

 

  • All passengers with body temperature equal to or above 38 degree Celsius
  • All passengers with body temperature equal to or above 38 degree Celsius and any one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, sore-throat and headache. They will be quarantined in specific institutions designated by the Ministry of Health until their results are ready.
  • Travelers who test positive will be managed according to the national Case Management Guidelines.
  • Travelers without fever but with other symptoms will be assessed to determine the need for testing.

 

  • Returning Residents and Citizens without symptoms

 

All Zambian nationals and returning residents who do not have symptoms will observe mandatory 14-day quarantine at home. Homes will be inspected beforehand to ensure that the facilities/environment are suitable for home quarantine, contrary to which they will quarantine in designated facilities. They shall monitor themselves daily for development of COVID-19 symptoms and report any such signs to the nearest health authority.

 

  • Business Travelers

 

  1. Business travelers coming into the country with a negative SARS CoV2 PCR test are free to conduct their business as planned, while adhering to recommended COVID-19 prevention measures such as maintaining physical distance, masking and personal hygiene. They shall monitor themselves daily for 14days for the development of COVID-19 symptoms and report any occurrence to the nearest health authority.

 

  1. Business travelers coming into the country without evidence of a negative SARS CoV2 PCR test will not be allowed in the country.

 

  • Tourists

 

Tourists coming into the country without evidence of a negative SARS CoV2 PCR test will not be allowed into the country.

 

ISSUED AND SIGNED BY: Dr. Kennedy Malama, Permanent Secretary (Technical Services), Ministry of Health.

22nd July 2020