No positive cases of COVID-19 recorded at KIA so far

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that no positive cases of COVID-19 have been recorded among international air passengers arriving at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) since it reopened on 1 September.

Speaking to the media at the Information Ministry on Thursday 3 September, the director general of the Ghana Health Service, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said: “So far no positive case has been found.”

Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the ultimate aim of the government is that people arrive in Ghana negative “and truly negative”. He said that on day one of the airport’s reopening, there were three flights, including KLM and TAP-Portugal.

Passengers arriving through KIA are supposed to provide a negative PCR test result and also undergo a COVID-19 test at a cost of $150.

Simulation

President Akufo-Addo ordered the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport, starting on 1 September 2020. He had closed Ghana’s borders by air, sea and land to human traffic on Saturday 21 March 2020 in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

The decision to close borders was intended to stop the importation of the virus into the country.

In his 16th address to the nation since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo said he is satisfied with the simulation exercises that have been conducted at the Kotoka International Airport and preparations for the return of visitors.

He said there have been adequate testing facilities at the point of entry; therefore, it is safe to allow the airport resume operations.

“Fellow Ghanaians, in update number 15, I announced the easing of restrictions in some areas of national life,” the president said. “I also indicated my hope that preparations and simulation exercises under way, including the installation of COV-D-19 testing facilities at Kotoka International Airport, would give us a clear indication as to whether or not we could reopen the airport …”

Mindful of risks

President Akufo-Addo added: “After weeks of thorough work, I am satisfied that it is safe to do so. Fellow Ghanaians, I am glad to announce that Kotoka International Airport will reopen and resume operations from Tuesday 1 September 2020.

“This decision has been communicated to international airlines across the world.”

The president said he is mindful that the very first cases of COVID-19 in Ghana were imported into the country and his government is determined to make sure the situation does not recur.

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