Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Event: Special Commercial Flight to the United States

Note: This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new enrollees in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP.)  The Embassy uses both KinshasaUSCitizen@state.gov and ACSKinshasa@state.gov to send messages. 

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is exploring all options to assist U.S. citizens in the DRC.  We are working to arrange a special commercial flight to Washington, D.C. in the next 10 days.  Travelers will be required to purchase tickets in advance.  If you are concerned about paying for seats, please reach out to family and friends now to find someone who can purchase the ticket using a credit card.  We will share the estimated cost of the flight in the coming days.  The Embassy may assist with transportation to the airport if there is a lockdown in effect in Kinshasa.

If you are interested in options to leave, including the commercial flight to Washington, D.C., please send the following information for each member of your family to KinshasaUSCitizen@state.gov.  If you have already contacted us to express interest in departure options, please do not send your information again unless your location or circumstances have changed.

  1. Your full name as spelled in your passport (SURNAME, Given Name)
  2. Nationality
  3. Current phone number and WhatsApp number
  4. Email address
  5. Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
  6. Passport number, date of issuance, date of expiration. If not a U.S. passport, please note country of issuance.
  7. Current location (city, country, hotel name if not in residence)
  8. Health condition and special considerations
  9. Number of U.S. citizens in your party. Please note any non-U.S. citizen immediate family members seeking to travel with you.
  10. DRC visa status (i.e. valid until MM/DD/YYYY)
  11. Employer or affiliation within DRC
  12. Please attach a scan or photo of the bio-page of the passport and, if applicable, LPR card for each traveler.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen parent of a U.S. citizen child, please tell us if the non-U.S. citizen parent has appropriate travel documentation to enter the U.S. (i.e. valid U.S. visa, valid LPR card).  If the non-U.S. citizen parent does not have travel documentation, please identify an adult who can travel with the U.S. citizen child.

You will receive a response when travel options become available.

Upcoming Kinshasa Restrictions: The government of the DRC may impose a period of confinement in Kinshasa.  All U.S. citizens in DRC should continue to prepare by ensuring they have sufficient food, medicine, and supplies should they need to remain at home in DRC for an extended period of time.

The government of the DRC has declared a State of Emergency effective March 24 to limit the spread of COVID-19.  All domestic passenger flights between Kinshasa and the provinces are suspended. The suspension of international passenger flights remains in effect.  All road and river transport between Kinshasa and the provinces are suspended for passenger traffic. Goods transport will continue with control checkpoints at Kinshasa city limits.  DRC National Police and military will patrol to ensure the new rules are followed. Schools and universities remain closed, sporting events and gatherings larger than 20 people are banned, bars and restaurants are closed until further notice and non-food stores in Kinshasa were ordered closed.

Visit the DRC Ministry of Health COVID-19 website for updated information on the situation in the DRC.  Visit the CDC website for information on symptoms and how to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have symptoms (fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing):

  • Avoid contact with people.
  • Contact your health care provider or the DRC Ministry of Health at 101, 109, 110.
  • Notify the U.S. Embassy if a U.S. citizen is hospitalized with COVID-19 by emailing ACSKinshasa@state.gov.

Note: This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP.  We will be sure to highlight any new information from previous emails.

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By | 1 April, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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