Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (March 15, 2020)
Location: Haiti, countrywide.
Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 80,000 reported cases worldwide.
As of March 15, 2020, the Haiti Ministry of Health announced no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Haiti. The government of Haiti urged people in Haiti to avoid public gatherings, practice social distancing, and cancel unnecessary travel abroad.
On March 15, the Government of Haiti held a press conference to announce flight restrictions and closure of the border with the Dominican Republic. Both take effect as of midnight, Monday, March 16 (0000 hours March 17):
- All flights to and from Haiti and destinations in the Dominican Republic, Canada, Latin America and Europe will be suspended for two weeks.
- All flights to and from Haiti and destinations in the Dominican Republic, Canada, Latin America and Europe will be suspended for two weeks.
- Flights between Haiti and the United States will continue. The Government of Haiti stated that all travelers from the U.S. must have a document showing that they have tested negative for coronavirus before boarding. The Government of Haiti did not specify what proof passengers should present and has not yet provided instructions to airlines.
- The Government of Haiti will continue to conduct health screenings on arriving passengers.
- The Minister of Interior announced that the border with the Dominican Republic will be closed to passenger traffic, but goods crossing the border will still be permitted if personnel transporting the goods are screened at the border.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Haiti.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
- Seek medical care right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms) or were exposed to someone who may have COVID-19 in the last six weeks.
Assistance
- U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre
Emergencies: +509-2229-8000
Non-emergency inquiries: acspap@state.gov
Website: https://ht.usembassy.gov/ - Contact the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 toll-free from the United States and Canada
1-202-501-4444 from other countries - Haiti Country Information
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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