29 Nov 2021 | 05:26 PM UTC
Zambia: Authorities to tighten COVID-19-related restrictions effective Nov. 30 /update 16
Zambia to tighten COVID-19 restrictions from Nov. 30 as precaution against new Omicron variant. Business and transport disruptions likely.
Event
The Zambian government plans to tighten COVID-19-related restrictions on domestic activity and international travel effective Nov. 30. The move comes despite decreasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths and is intended as a precaution against a potential fourth disease wave, as well as to stem the spread of the new Omicron variant of the virus. The measures will remain in place until at least Dec. 30.
Domestic Restrictions
From Nov. 30, the following measures will apply:
Public sector employees must show a vaccination certificate to access work sites.
Individuals must show a vaccination certificate to access all government institutions.
All persons must wear face masks in public; no one will be allowed to enter markets or bus stations without wearing a face mask.
Houses of worship may only open three days per week for one hour at a time.
Attendance at funerals and weddings is capped at 50 people.
Nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas, casinos, and bars may only open for business Wednesdays through Saturdays. Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter such establishments. Bars may only operate from 18:00 to 20:00.
Buses are limited to operating at 50 percent capacity.
Businesses and other establishments must also implement enhanced sanitation procedures, including social distancing measures and frequent hand washing, among other things.
International Travel Restrictions
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. Enhanced controls, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination verification, will be implemented at all points of entry beginning Nov. 30.
Travelers arriving from countries deemed high-risk (countries with more than 200 cases per 1,000,000 people in the past two weeks) will be quarantined for 10 days in designated accommodations at their own expense.
Travelers arriving from non-high-risk countries will not be required to quarantine; however, they must monitor their symptoms for 14 days. Authorities previously announced that vaccinated travelers with a negative test result are exempt from quarantine requirements.
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.
