Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi (March 26, 2020)
Location: Malawi
Event:
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Malawi.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
On March 15, Peace Corps suspended activities and is in the process of evacuating Peace Corps Volunteers globally with the intention of resuming activities at some point in the future.
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. Travelers who are symptomatic and have a travel history to China, Iran, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, the United States, South Africa, Seychelles, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, Canada, Pakistan, Switzerland, Australia, Turkey, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Chile or any of the countries in the European Union in the preceding 14 days are taken to an isolation room at the airport for further medical investigation. Travelers who have been to China, Iran, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, the United States, South Africa, Seychelles, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, Canada, Pakistan, Switzerland, Australia, Turkey, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Chile or any of the countries in the European Union recently but are asymptomatic are referred for self-quarantine at home and daily check-ups for 14 days. Travelers to Malawi arriving from countries on this list who are made to self-quarantine will not be allowed to self-quarantine in hotels or lodges in Malawi. Visit the Ministry of Health for the Government of Malawi Facebook page for additional information on these new measures.
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.
Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
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, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 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
- 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road
- U.S. citizens with emergencies: +265-1-773-166, or +265 88 896 0903 or +265 88 896 0904 or + 265 88 896 0905 Ext. 3431
- Outside of office hours: +265-999-960-178
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- E-mail: LilongweConsular@state.gov
- Website: https://mw.usembassy.gov/services/
- State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter