COVID Reg Worksheet23122020 (TK)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DISCLAIMER: Please note that whilst we take every care to ensure the information contained herein is accurate, we cannot in any manner or form guarantee the accuracy and correctness thereof. The information is taken directly from relevant country government sources and the IATA travel centre, and can change at any time and without notice. You are therefore advised that any information contained herein should not be construed as a representation made by Wilderness and it remains your sole and absolute duty to double-check current information at the time of creating an itinerary. 24/12/2020 • All non-Namibian travellers arriving in Namibia are required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result from the country of departure, which is not older than 72 hours. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 5 years. • Non-Namibian travellers arriving with a negative result which is OLDER than 72 hours, will be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 on the same day, at own cost. If the results come out negative, they will be released from quarantine. If positive, they will be isolated at own cost, according to Namibia’s isolation protocols. • The time-frame of 72 hours is from the time the swab was taken and the time you hand your certificate over to authorities on arrival at the immigration gate of your destination country. It may mean that further tests are required en route and itineraries will have to take that into account. Pre-travel Requirements • The test must be done at a certified laboratory in their country of origin and translated into English. • Travellers must acquire travel insurance that covers medical care or in the event of an unexpected stay in Namibia. • Returning Namibian citizens or holders of Namibian permanent residence or employment permits may enter the country without a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result or with a positive result. But in cases of arrival without a COVID-19 test result, s/he will be swabbed immediately upon arrival while observing quarantine and if the result comes out negative, they will be released from quarantine. • A Namibian who arrives with a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test result, will be isolated at a designated isolation facility or home isolation, subject to approval after assessment by an authorized medical officer. Guests will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire. Arrival Requirements Guests must provide proof of the itinerary booked. • PathCare labs in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb, Ongwediva. • OSH-Med International. • NIP. • State hospitals such as Khorixas (although they cannot guarantee time-frames for results). Additional time is required to allow for testing – up to 48 hours (or possibly longer) so it is advisable to plan the itinerary accordingly. All relevant accommodation, transfers and testing costs are for the guests’ own account. NOTE: guests are required to bring their passport/ID plus copy thereof to the testing facilities as well as the required medical questionnaires. Contact your Journey Specialist for further information and copies of the forms. PCR Test Facilities PathCare • PathCare will only be able to assist limited numbers of travellers, and have introduced a booking system. This is due to the high demand for tests from travellers, limited resources, an upswing in positive cases in the country and the need to prioritise general care/testing for Namibian citizens. • Bookings can only be made by logging onto the www.ticketsource.co.uk website – preferably directly by the guest although Wilderness Safaris Namibia will assist where possible. Search by typing in ‘traveller covid’ and click on find event. A slot needs to be booked and a ticket issued as this is required for entry to the lab. • Payment is made directly at the PathCare lab by credit or debit card. • There are limited slots available each day, and each evening at 18h00, further slots will open up for the period ahead - if available – so the site may show no slots earlier in the day. Note there is no guarantee of securing a slot on the day you want. OSH-Med International (OSH) • We are in the process of sourcing additional information (forms required, etc.). Telephone contact details in the meantime are: +264 61 302 931 • This test is at a higher cost plus there is also a concern re: turnaround time – we have been given a time-frame of anywhere between 48 hours and 7 days for results to be available. • Guests make the booking directly with OSH, and they will come to the hotel/guesthouse where the guest is staying to take the sample. Alternatively guests may contact our Windhoek office and we will try and make appointments for them. • Payment is made directly with OSH – they bring a card machine to the test. PCR Test Facilities (continued) NIP • They do testing on weekdays only (not weekends or public holidays). Bookings are made directly with them and guests have to make payment per EFT, plus complete the form that the service provider sends through. • This seems to be the only option for taking bookings well in advance, however it is important to note they only do testing between 9am and 11am each day, so guests would need to be in Windhoek in enough time to slot into this window i.e. in all likelihood stay in Windhoek the night before but also allow for enough time to get results – currently 24 hours. • Their telephone contact details are: +264 61 290 1379. Alternatively, guests may contact our Windhoek office and we will try and make appointments for them. PathCare: NAD 850 OHS Medical: NAD 1500 Cost of Tests NIP: NAD 950 State Hospitals: Free of Charge In-Lodge/Hotel Room Testing Currently not available in-camp due to timing and logistical challenges. Waiting Period for Results 24-48 hours, subject to provider and location. Further In-country Test None Requirements Unfortunately testing is proving to be quite a challenge in Namibia. In a nutshell, it seems unlikely that test results will be available within 24 hours from any of the service providers, so our recommendation at this time is to allow for 2 nights in Windhoek at the end of an itinerary to provide sufficient time to have a test and get the results prior Departure Requirements to departure – in the hope that results will be available in 48 hours. However, there is no guarantee in this regard, nor how long the situation will last. Destination country requirements must be taken into account by agent/guest prior to departure and itineraries planned accordingly. If a symptomatic traveller tests positive they will be subjected to isolation at a Quarantine Facilities designated quarantine facility, an isolation facility or home isolation subject to approval (mild/asymptomatic) after an assessment by an authorised person. Any of the Mediclinic hospitals. Treatment Facilities (severe symptoms) Emed Rescue will conduct air evacuations of COVID-19 patients. While OSH and the State provide ground ambulance services. Days to Isolate/Quarantine 14 days minimum (until a negative test status is achieved). Notes.