The US Embassy Accra in Ghana has suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments, effective March 17, 2020, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Ghana.
“We will resume routine Visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a date at this time,” a statement from the Embassy read.
According to the U.S. Embassy, this directive comes on the back of the government’s call to observe prescribed social distancing and personal hygiene measures to prevent community spread and “not in response to any known or suspected COVID-19 exposure at any of our facilities”.
However, emergency services for U.S. Citizens in Ghana will continue, said the statement.
Click here to read the full statement.
Embassies shut down
The Norwegian Embassy in Ghana was the first to temporarily shut down its operation after one of its staff tested positive to coronavirus.
“The Embassy of Norway can confirm that one of our colleagues has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The person is in quarantine and the Embassy is in close dialogue with Ghana Health Service,” the Embassy made the announcement via its Facebook page on Friday, March 13, 2020.
The Netherlands Embassy also followed suit, giving the reason that they shared the same building with the Norwegian Embassy.
They have shut down “till further notice”.
Ghana’s Embassy in the United States of America has also suspended its visa and passport application services due to the pandemic.
“Due to the increase and rapid spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) both in the United States of America and globally, it has become necessary to take precautionary measures to protect clients,” the Embassy said in a statement.
“In this regard, the Consular Department will suspend both mailed and in-person services for the issuance of Ghanaian visas and passports effective March 17, 2020,” the statement added.
Public gatherings banned
The government of Ghana on Sunday, March 15, 2020, as part of efforts to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) announced new public gathering advisories.
The advisories were given by President Nana Akufo-Addo in a special national address following the announcement of four new confirmed cases of the disease in the country.
Among other things, universities, senior high schools and basic schools were asked to close down effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
Concerts, workshops, sporting events and all religious events have also been banned by the President.
He noted in his address that the ban will be in force for four weeks.
Cases in Ghana
So far, six cases have been confirmed in the country. The last four cases were reported by the government on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Three of those cases were recorded in Accra while one other was recorded in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
The Director of Public Health at Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie who provided updates on the country’s cases said the new cases were also imported into the country.
He said two of the cases were confirmed on the 13th of March 2020 while the other two were confirmed on 14th March, 2020.