05 Oct 2021 | 10:09 AM UTC
Zambia: Authorities relax COVID-19 restrictions nationwide as of Oct. 5 /update 14
Zambia eases domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of Oct. 5; international entry restrictions remain in place.
Event
Authorities have relaxed domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of Oct. 5. Details of restrictions that remain in place are listed below.
Domestic Measures
Bars, restaurants, clubs, and casinos are permitted to reopen without restrictions on hours or capacity.
Churches may operate as normal.
Public events and in-person conferences may resume.
Employees may return to work in person at offices.
Public transport may operate without capacity restrictions.
The establishments above must respect the following five rules outlined by the government: wear masks in public spaces, maintain social distancing practices, frequently wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer, avoid crowded areas when possible, and consult a doctor if individuals develop symptoms.
International Travel
Commercial flights are operating, and international air and land borders are open. Travelers must provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
Travelers arriving from countries deemed high-risk (countries with more than 200 cases per 1,000,000 people in the past two weeks) must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival or within the following 48 hours of their arrival. They must also self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Travelers may be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility if the place of residence is considered unsafe.
Travelers arriving from non-high-risk countries will not be required to quarantine; however, they must monitor their symptoms for 14 days. Authorities have announced that vaccinated travelers with a negative test result are exempt from quarantine requirements without providing further details.
Additionally, all arriving travelers with a temperature of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher or who have COVID-19 symptoms must quarantine at home or in a designated government facility for 14 days. Officials may also randomly select any arrival for testing.
Authorities could implement further preventative measures or ease certain restrictions, depending on disease activity in the coming days and weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.
