Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi (April 1, 2020)
Location: Malawi
Event: Malawi has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19. On March 27, 2020, the Government of Malawi has instituted a ban on all commercial international flights effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The Government of Malawi is considering further restrictions if the situation worsens.
The Government of Malawi has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.
Effective March 17, 2020, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.
The Department of State is currently not organizing an evacuation of U.S. citizens from Malawi. However, if the opportunity becomes available, we are asking you to let us know now if you are interested in being contacted. If so, please click here and complete the information request form. If you are traveling with others, you must complete the form for each person in your group. Entering the data into this form will add you to a list to get separate emails with flight information and logistics should the opportunity become available. Please ensure you double-check your submission for spelling and typo errors. Do note that the link is sensitive to firewalls and internet browsers so please try different browsers. If you have already completed this form or emailed your information to us, you do not need to complete it again. Please email us if you experience trouble completing this form, your situation has changed, or if you no longer wish to be contacted about an evacuation flight.
Note the following information:
- We will contact you if a repatriation flight is being arranged and provide you with logistical information, including its cost per seat. It is important to note that these seats are traditionally offered at-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis to U.S. citizens and, space permitting, lawful permanent residents and qualifying non-citizen dependents of U.S. citizens. Private U.S. citizens seeking to depart are required to sign a promissory note and will be billed at a later date for the cost of the flight. You should also be aware that this option may be more expensive than a normal flight, but we do not have a specific cost estimate.
- You will be responsible for onward travel from the arrival location in the United States, which will most likely be somewhere on the east coast.
- We are committed to facilitating the return of all U.S. citizens who wish to return. Depending on your personal/financial situation and support network in Malawi, sheltering in place may be an option; however, you should be prepared to do so for an undetermined amount of time.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Notice for Malawi, meaning you will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to the United States.
- Interested parties should verify that their passports and other documentation are current and valid for at least six months from today’s date. For emergency American Citizen Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.
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 the Ministry of Health for the Government of Malawi Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/malawimoh, and the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) website http://malawipublichealth.org for updates.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 https://mw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/for information on conditions in Malawi.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi, Area 40, City Center, Lilongwe, Malawi
- S. citizens with emergencies: +265-1-773-166 Ext. 3431or +265-887-384-109 or +265-887-002-506
- Outside of office hours: +265-999-960-178
- E-mail: LilongweConsular@state.gov
- Website: https://mw.usembassy.gov/services/
- State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747or 202-501-4444
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Note: This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP. We will be sure to highlight any new information from previous emails.