Ethiopia (Travel Restrictions, COVID Tests & Quarantine Requirements)

This page was last updated on 16 December, 2021.

 

At a Glance

Travel Restrictions

Entry For Vaccinated Travelers: Allowed
Tourist Entry: Allowed
Testing: Negative COVID-19 test is required for all countries.
Quarantine Required: Depends
Quarantine Details: Quarantine required for Passengers without negative COVID-19 RT-PCR certificate.

Local Restrictions

Lockdown in Effect: Partial
Events: Partially Allowed
Transport: Operational with restrictions
Shopping: Open
Restaurants and Bars: Open with restrictions
 

Detailed Travel Advisory

Published 25.11.2021
1. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken at most 120 hours before arrival.
– This does not apply to:
– passengers younger than 10 years;
– passengers with a diplomatic passport and their immediate family members;
– passengers with a service passport and their immediate family members;
– passengers with a Laissez-Passer issued by an African Union (AU) state and their immediate family members;
– passengers with a Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations and their immediate family members.
2. Residents of Ethiopia are allowed to enter with an expired residence permit.
3. Passengers with a valid ID card issued to foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin can obtain a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa (ADD).
4. Children traveling with foreign parents of Ethiopian origin can obtain a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa (ADD).
5. Passengers with a foreign passport stating Ethiopia as place of birth can obtain a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa (ADD).
6. Visa on arrival facilities have been reinstated for nationals of Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep., Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini (Swaziland), Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe traveling as tourists.

 

Detailed Tourist Information

It is possible to travel to Ethiopia by air and land borders are also open. Effective 15th of November 2021, passengers arriving and departing to and from Ethiopia are recommended to use the PanaBIOS electronic System to verify their negative COVID-19 certificate in line with the Africa CDC Trusted Travel electronic verification rules and guidelines available here: https://africacdc.org/trusted-travel/

All passenger above the age of ten, except transit passenger shall bring a certificate of negative RT PCR test done up to 120 hours or five days before arriving in Ethiopia and has a duty to self-quarantine at home for seven days. The certificate validity shouldn’t exceed 120 hours on arrival from the date sample is given.

Notwithstanding the provisions under item No.1 above, the traveler shall not be required to remain in isolation for 7 days if he has a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within 90 days or if he has completed the COVID-19 vaccine in full and provides evidence or if the passenger is a diplomat.;

Without prejudice to provisions item No. 1 above, if the passenger is a tourist or a passenger who comes to attend a conference for an emergency shall not be required to isolate himself for 7 days when tested for Covid-19 (PCR or Antigen-Based RDT test) and when the result is negative.

All Diplomatic and Service (including United Nations and African Union) passport holders, including their immediate families, are advised but not required to have a certificate of negative PCR-COVID-19 test before arrival to Ethiopia. However, a diplomat who doesn’t avail a negative RT PCR Covid-19 test result shall not be required to isolate himself for 7 days if the on-arrival RT PCR or Antigen-Based RDT COVI-19 test is negative. If he refuses to get a COVID-19 test on arrival, he/she will have to isolate himself for 14 days.

Any person who is coronavirus positive is prohibited from entering the country.

Transit/layover passengers who goes to the designated Hotels, are required to self-quarantine at the hotel until their next flight.

Returnees coming through international airports of the country shall be made to bring a certificate of negative RT PCR test from the country they are coming from done up to 120 hours or 5 days before arrival;

If the returnee does not bring a certificate of negative RT PCR test from the country, he/she is coming from done up to 120 hours or 5 days before arrival, he/she has the duty to give sample of RT PCR or Antigen-Based RDT test;

Rapid diagnostic test (RDT antibody test) will not be accepted.

The RT-PCR test result certificate for COVID-19 for a test taken in Ethiopia is not allowed for travel back/re-entry into Ethiopia. The negative RT-PCR test certificate required to be presented before boarding a flight to Ethiopia must be a test taken at departure country.
 

Lockdown Details

Government directives to help limit the spread of COVID-19 currently include:

Any person known to be infected with coronavirus is prohibited from entering the country, mixing or meeting with other people in any way that may spread the virus

Gatherings (including religious gatherings, weddings and funerals) are limited to 50 people. Gatherings of over 50 people must be authorised by the relevant authority.

Organisers and participants must comply with all measures outlined in the Ministry of Health Directive, from page 20. Personal in-home gatherings such as birthday parties may only include family members.

Deliberate physical contact is banned, including greetings by handshake

Wearing of face masks is mandatory in all public places (except for children under 6 years or those with a relevant provable condition)

Individuals will be expected to ensure that they are 2 adult strides apart at all times

Schools, universities and daycare centres are banned from operating until appropriate safety measures are agreed

Any person that suspects they have COVID-19 must report to the Ministry of Health or Ethiopian Public Health Institute (call 8335 or 952) to be tested

All sectors and businesses (including hotels, cinemas, tour operators) must provide necessary sanitising material and information to customers and staff, maintain 2 strides distance where appropriate and maintain the cleanliness of their premises. Cafes, bars and restaurants are limited to serving three people per table. Occupancy limits are in place for nightclubs as well as rules on no contact. Sports may take place in compliance with coronavirus measures, but no spectators are allowed apart from participants

Visits to care homes for the elderly are prohibited. Visits to prisons must comply with coronavirus measures
Public transport providers must comply with relevant coronavirus measures, including reduced passenger loads, mask-wearing and ventilation
 

Sources

https://et.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Data Source: covidcontrols.co