Ask a COVID-19 Question
Last Updated July 20, 2021
Country-Specific Information:
- Namibia is in the third wave of COVID-19 infections in Namibia. With cases on the rise everywhere in the country.
- The Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed 113,664 cases of COVID-19 in Namibia. Of these 88,243 have recovered and 2557 have died.
- The Government of Namibia has implemented the following restrictions in response to the pandemic: closure of most land borders for tourism purposes (Only Katima Mulilo, Ariamsvlei, and Noordoewer border posts and Walvis Bay Harbor can be used for tourist entries by land and sea). From June 16, 2021 also entry and exit restrictions into the city have been put in place, including Okahandja and Rehoboth.
- The number of attendees at public gatherings indoor and outdoor has been reduced to 10 people. Organizers must ensure that hand sanitizer is available, face masks are used, and social distancing is practiced. Contact sport is prohibited, and no spectators will be permitted at any live sport event.
- Grocery stores remain well-stocked.
- A nationwide curfew is in place between 09:00 pm and 4:00 am daily.
- Sale of alcohol is restricted from 09h00 to 18h00 from Monday to Friday on a takeaway basis only. No sale of alcohol is allowed on Saturday or Sundays and Public Holidays. Liquor may only be sold to and purchased on Sundays and public holidays by guests booked in or staying at establishments such as hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfast facilities and casinos.
- It is not mandatory for children ages 0 to 5 years to wear masks at school.
- Salons, beauty parlours, hairdressers, pools, spas, gyms, studios, and fitness canters shall practice public health measures. Both the service providers and clients must wear masks, sanitize, and maintain social distancing.
- All non-urgent medical procedures are postponed. Visitations to hospitalized patients is limited to 2 close relatives per visit for no more than ten minutes per visit.
- Vulnerable persons are advised to stay at home, except for attending to essential needs.
- The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Namibia? Yes
- If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
- U.S. citizens can obtain a COVID-19 test in Namibia from the private laboratory PathCare, which has multiple locations throughout the country. Testing is paid for by the citizen and costs N$850.00.
- COVID-19 test results from PathCare are emailed and sent via SMS to the individual who was tested.
- PathCaretests individuals for the purpose of travel by appointment only. Please visit their website at https://www.pathcarenamibia.com/ to make an appointment.
- FeedMasters(Namib Laboratories) is now offering a drive through COVID 19 testing facility at the Wanderers Sport Grounds in Pionierspark in Windhoek. There is no need to make an appointment for this service. For more information, contact: Tel.: 061 290 1379; Email: namlab@feedmaster.com.na
- Fees at the drive though testing site are: COVID testing (results 24 hours) – N$ 980.00; and COVID speed test (results 5 hours) – N$ 3,500.00
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of Namibia approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
- Are vaccines available in Namibia for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes
- Which vaccines are available in Namibia? Covishield; Sinopharm
- According to Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula, Namibia has made progress in its preparation to acquire suitable COVID-19 vaccines. The government has paid to acquire enough vaccine doses to vaccine 20% of the population through the COVAX Facility. Namibia has begun vaccinating targeted populations with donated vaccines from China, and plans to roll out additional donated vaccines from India soon. Namibia is prioritizing frontline health care workers and population groups vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Minister Shangula also announced that non-Namibian citizens can receive a vaccine in Namibia if they fall into one of the designated priority groups eligible for the vaccine.
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
- The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- From June 01, 2021 Negative Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (AgRDT) results for incoming travelers will no longer be accepted at Points of Entry into Namibia. All non-Namibian travelers arriving in Namibia are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from their country of departure that is not older than 7 days. If the traveler meets this requirement, no quarantine or additional testing is required.
- Non-Namibian travelers arriving with a negative result that is older than 7 days will be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 on the same day at their own cost and will only be released if the results of this test return negative.
- This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 5 years. Information on this policy can be found here.
- Returning Namibian Citizens or U.S. Citizens with permanent residence in Namibia with a valid De-isolation Certificate from the Government of the country of departure will not be subjected to quarantine upon entry, despite status of test results. Non–Namibians must present a negative PCR test result. U.S. Citizens with permanent residence in Namibia or with valid work permits may enter the country under the conditions described above OR will also be permitted to enter without a COVID-19 PCR test result or with a positive result. However, in cases of arrival without a COVID-19 test result or with a positive result, s/he will be swabbed immediately upon arrival and placed in quarantine until the new test result comes out negative, after which time they will be released from quarantine.
- From June 01, 2021, all travelers coming from or transiting through hotspot regions such as India, are required to repeat the SARS COV-2 PCR test, 7 days after arrival in Namibia.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test required for entry? Yes
- Please see testing/entry requirements listed above, as they differ for U.S. citizen visitors vs. U.S. citizens normally resident in Namibia.
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- Visa extensions for U.S. citizens in Namibia are processed by the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration. This service is offered at Counter #3 at the Home Affairs office in Windhoek.
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? Yes
- A nationwide curfew is in place between 09:00 pm and 4:00 am daily.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
- Starting June 16, entry and exit restrictions into and out of the city have been put in place. Returning residents will be allowed.
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
- Arriving international tourists do not have to quarantine if they present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result that is not older than 7 days. Returning Namibian Citizens or U.S. Citizens with permanent residence in Namibia with a valid De-isolation Certificate from the Government of the country of departure will not be subjected to quarantine upon entry, despite status of test results. Non-Namibians must present a negative PCR test result. However, non-Namibian travelers arriving with a negative result that is older than 7 days will be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 on the same day at their own cost. If the results of this test come back negative, they will be released from quarantine. If positive, they will be isolated at their own cost, according to Namibia’s isolation protocols.
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Ethiopian Airlines and Eurowings offer international flights to and from Namibia. Air Link and West Air Aviation have commenced regional flights between Namibia and South Africa.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Passengers must use masks in all public transportation, including taxis.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
- Any person presenting fake SARS COV-2 PCR test results will be prosecuted. Any non-Namibian who presents fake or forged SARS COV-2 PCR test results to an official at any Port of Entry, will be denied entry into Namibia and will be deported ant own cost.
- Non-compliance with Namibian Government regulations on COVID-19 will result in fines of $100,000.00 Namibian dollars or 10 years imprisonment.
Consular Operations:
- ACS services are currently being offered for emergencies only. Please email ConsularWindhoek@state.gov to request an emergency appointment.
- Visa services are currently being offered for emergencies only. If you believe you meet the criteria for an emergency appointment as outlined on our website, please email ConsularWindhoek@state.gov to request an appointment.
Local Resources:
- If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed, please contact +264-0800-100-100 to seek direction from the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services.
- Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services Facebook page.
- Namibian Presidency Facebook page.
- Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Facebook page.
Other links:
- COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- Travel.state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page
