COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Sierra Leone (25 November 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

• A RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) and a COVID-19 PCR test will be conducted on arrival at the airport. If the RDT test results are negative, travellers will be allowed to leave the airport but will have to maintain public health and isolation protocols until they receive the results of the PCR test which may take up to 48 hours.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

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

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• A negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued no more than seven days prior to departure is required.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Arriving passengers who test positive on the RDT test will be required to isolate at a hotel in Lungi at their own expense to wait for the PCR test result. Those with a positive PCR test will be sent to a state treatment facility. Any other passengers listed as contacts will be required to isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.

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 negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued no more than seven days prior to departure;

  • 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.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International flights to and from Sierra Leone have resumed.

• Lungi International Airport and Free Town International Airport are open for commercial flights. Flights may be limited.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Land borders remain closed.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• The State of Emergency has been extended until March 2021.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Inter-district travel restrictions have been lifted.

• Public transportation is operating with capacity restrictions.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship, churches, and mosques have re-opened for worship.

Events allowed?

• No

• Large public gatherings of over 100 people (e.g. concerts, sporting events) 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

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

• Before departure from Sierra Leone, you’ll need to pay for and take a PCR COVID-19 test through the portal within 72 hours of your departure.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.