The Ministry of Aviation, Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ghana Airport Company Limited have outlined the measures to ensure the safe reopening of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to international flights on September 1.
Addressing the media at the KIA on Monday, August 31, 2020, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the GHS, said part of the measures include wearing of face masks, and the enforcement of the social distancing protocols.
He stated that a PCR test with a negative result taken at least 72 hours before coming to Ghana will be required.
He said there are exemptions to the mandatory test which includes children under the age of five.
Furthermore, he stated that air crew will not be subjected to the mandatory test.
According to him, transit passengers who are not entering Ghana will not be subjected to mandatory test.
For passengers departing Ghana, he stated that they will be made to comply with the face masks protocol.
Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa, said as per the protocols, pets will not be allowed to accompany their owners on flights anymore.
He said there will be regular disinfection at the airport, with hand sanitizers to be placed at each service point.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, added that Ghana went in for a testing regime that has a high sensitivity.
According to him, Ghana was also interested in a high turn around time for the testing tool, noting that it takes a maximum of 30 minutes to test and generate results.
He said Government was still sticking to the five key points of ensuring the disease is not brought into Ghana.
Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, in a statement, said, “…the processes installed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) are set to ensure a high level of safety with the opening of the airport. I would also like to add that various exercises have already been conducted including orientations, test runs and disinfections to ensure that we prevent the Covid-19 from being imported into the country.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, yesterday, issued a NOTAM to all airlines and all airport operators on the Passenger Restrictions and Health Measures that will be effective as we open the airport after midnight today,” he added.
By Melvin Tarlue
