Botswana: COVID-19 Travel Bans & Travel Restrictions

From May 5, 2021, all persons must present proof of a negative result for COVID-19 issued no more than 72 hours prior to departure using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Upon arrival, all persons must undergo an antigen test for COVID-19. All persons who, within 14 days of their scheduled arrival, have visited India must, at their own expense, undergo a 10-day quarantine at a location designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and an additional PCR test between 5 and 7 days following their arrival.

Passengers traveling aboard domestic flights must undergo an antigen test at the airport prior to departure. All persons seeking to depart Botswana must obtain proof of a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 issued no more than 72 hours prior to their intended departure. Traveling between domestic regions in Botswana requires special documentation. A nightly curfew is in effect nationwide from 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) to 04:00 (4:00 a.m.) until at least September 30, 2021. More information is available at the following URL: https://covid19.gov.bw/

Foreign nationals who have visited any of the following countries or regions within 14 days of their arrival in the United States are prohibited from entering: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mainland China, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City, and the United Kingdom. This policy provides limited exemptions for persons providing vital support for critical infrastructure, journalists, students, and certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs.

All persons traveling to the United States (including US nationals) must present proof of a negative result for COVID-19 issued no more than 3 days to departure using a nucleic acid or antigen test. Alternatively, persons who, at any point within 90 days of their scheduled departure for the United States, tested positive for COVID-19 may present "documentation of recovery" for travel to the United States. This must include proof of the positive test result along with a certificate from a recognized healthcare provider attesting that the traveler is not currently exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 is and cleared for travel. All travelers must additionally sign a form attesting that the information provided to airline staff is truthful and accurate to the best of the traveler's knowledge. Persons lacking such proof are prohibited from boarding flights bound for the United States. More information including post-travel recommendations is available via the following URL: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

The United States government has mostly suspended the issuing of new visas and all US land border checkpoints with Canada and Mexico are closed to non-essential traffic. Additional restrictions are in place for persons holding special category visas including H-1B, H-2B, J-1, and L-1 visas. All travelers are encouraged to contact their local US embassy or consulate prior to finalizing travel arrangements. When arriving into or traveling within the United States, all persons must wear masks covering their mouth and nose while aboard any conveyance or at any transportation hub. Be advised, various state and local authorities in the United States have implemented additional policies and restrictions for persons arriving into their jurisdictions.