Country-Specific Information
- As of April 6, 2020, Mozambique has 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including one in which the patient has recovered.
- The Mozambican Government announced April 1, 2020 a Level 3 State of Emergency. Some of the measures include:
- suspension of issuance of official documents (e.g. visas and travel documents, vehicle registrations, drivers’ licenses, and marriage certificates);
- automatic extension of all DIRE and temporary visas until June 30, 2020, even if expired;
- automatic extension of drivers’ licenses, identity cards, and car vehicle import clearances until June 30, 2020;
- strict quarantine regime (see information below);
- continued closure of all schools;
- limit of two visitors per day for hospitalized patients;
- prohibition of visits to COVID-19 patients;
- expansion of screening and testing for COVID-19;
- prohibition of cultural, recreational, and sports activities in public spaces;
- closure of entertainment establishments, including museums, theaters, libraries, bars, pools, and gyms;
- closure of all beaches for leisure activities with the exception of fishing;
- suspension of religious services and celebrations in all places of worship;
- limit of 20 attendees at funerals, unless the cause of death is COVID-19, in which case only 10 people may attend the funeral;
- continuity of operations at public and private institutions except those mentioned above, with prevention and control of COVID-19 for all employees, such as 1.5 meter interpersonal distance, cough etiquette, frequent hand washing, etc.;
- reduction of workforce to 1/3 present at work place with turnover of teams every 15 days;
- reduction in the provision of services from public and private institutions in order to comply with these regulations;
- continued business at markets from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. subject to recommendation of competent health authorities and implementation of prevention and control measures within the markets;
- maximum of 1/3 of passenger capacity for public and private transport;
- prohibition of eviction of tenants in rental contracts during State of Emergency; and,
- penalization of non-compliance with State of Emergency measures under criminal law.
- As of April 6, 2020, Ethiopian Airlines is the only commercial airline continuing to offer flights departing Mozambique, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with connecting flights to Washington, DC from Addis Ababa. The airline has informed U.S. Embassy Maputo that each flight must be at least 50% full in order to depart. Customers must be flexible with dates as their flight may be combined with a later flight in order to reach 50% capacity.
- The Ressano-Garcia / Lebombo post near Komatipoort is the only open land border between South Africa and Mozambique. As of midnight March 27, South Africa closed its land borders for 21 days but reportedly will continue trading with neighboring countries to prevent disruption to food supply chains.
- The Peace Corps has withdrawn all Volunteers from Mozambique, and the U.S. Embassy has authorized departure for any personnel and family members who are at elevated risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19 or who have requested departure based on a commensurate justification.
Entry and Exit Requirements
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- The Ministry of Health (MISAU) has implemented screening at airports and other points of entry scanning the temperatures of all travelers and interviewing those traveling from countries where COVID-19 has been detected.
- All arrivals to Mozambique, regardless of citizenship, will be on a mandated 14-day self-quarantine (see quarantine information below).
Quarantine Information
- The Mozambican Government has mandated a 14-day self-quarantine for the following:
- all arrivals, regardless of citizenship or prior travel; and,
- all persons who have had direct contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19.
- The government has the authority to allow for real-time awareness of those in quarantine, including geolocation tools.
Local Resources
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- The Boletim da Republica No. 64, Series 1 delineates the full list of State of Emergency measures.
- Travelers are urged to consult the Mozambican Government portal for information on COVID-19 https://covid19.ins.gov.mz/ for the most accurate and updated information in Mozambique.
- COVID-19 Hotline: 84 146.
- MISAU is offering a daily press briefing on the COVID-19 situation and efforts to prevent its spread.
Other links
- COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
- Department of State Global Level 4 Health Alert
- CDC page on COVID-19
- state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page
- For information on traveling to or through South Africa: https://za.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
