Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (March 15, 2020)

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:

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