By Amin Kef Sesay
SLAJ and NACOVERC Big Idea of the week, starting from the 26th July to the 1st August 2020 is focusing on “Flying High While Keeping the Risks Low.” Indeed, when the coronavirus break out one of the sectors that was badly hit is the aviation sector.
Travelling restrictions made it quite impossible for normal flights to continue simply because it became a must in order to break the chain of transmission. It impacted negatively on the economies of countries that were severally affected, evident in the loss of revenue as well as in job losses.
To be very frank, it was welcome news when as a result of the dwindling figures of confirmed cases and deaths, the Government and other relevant stakeholders decided to re-open the Lungi International Airport on the 22nd July 2020.
However, the reopening of the Lungi International Airport was done with certain conditionalities out of the realization that the coronavirus is still in our midst globally and country-wise and a vaccine has not yet been discovered by medical practitioners and scientists. Indeed, adherence to restrictive measures is deemed very necessary if only we are to Stay Safe and Save Lives.
It is against this backdrop that SLAJ and NACOVERC Big Idea of the week, starting from the 26th July to the 1st August 2020 is focusing on “Flying High While Keeping the Risks Low.”
Agreed upon was that people flying into Sierra Leone will be tested again after they land and two tests must be done by the Government one which is a rapid test to get a result right away, and the other type of test is to confirm the first result but which takes more time.
Travelers who have a negative test result with the rapid test can continue on their way, but must take all actions to prevent the spread of coronavirus to others. These actions include wearing a cloth mask, keeping a safe distance of at least one meter from others, washing their hands with soap and water frequently, and calling 117 if they have fever, tiredness, and cough.
Travelers who test positive for coronavirus with the rapid test will be taken to an isolation center for follow up.
If they have fever, tiredness and cough travelers must call 117 right away and make sure to tell 117 if you or someone you know has traveled from another country in the last 14 days.
Already, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sierra Leone Airports Authority and the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) put safety and public health guidelines which shall be strictly adhered to by all arriving and departing passengers at/from the Freetown International Airport.
All passengers shall go through a walk-through disinfectant channel/Infrared temperature scanner at the entrance of the arrival hall. Also, all passengers with machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration E-gate system. Passengers with Emergency Travel Certificates or non-machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration booth.
At the Baggage Reclaim section passengers shall maintain social distancing and observe all public health protocols, including proper use of face mask at all times.
Departing the country, all passengers are subjected to a mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test with a negative result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at the Freetown International Airport. Cost for this test will be borne by the passenger.
Passengers will use the Government of Sierra Leone Travel Portal to request their pre-departure test, to pay for the test, and for scheduling sample collection.
Also, passengers with negative PCR results will receive e-confirmation and certificates ahead of travel. Physical copies can be collected at the airport at a designated desk.
Passengers with positive PCR results will not be permitted to travel and must follow public health protocols for isolation and contact tracing. They will be re-tested after seven days.
Passengers who have entered Sierra Leone within five days shall be exempted from the mandatory additional test on departure.
All children under 2 years shall be exempted from PCR test requirements.
To ensure that individuals going and out of the country adhere to the safe guidelines, SLAJ and NACOVERC are working hand in glove to disseminate significant information far and wide in order to create the desired effect. From 26th July to the 1st August 2020 the focus will be “Flying High While Keeping the Risks Low”.
