Airlines will also be fined every time they fly in vaccinated passengers whose PCR test results do not show negative.Prior to this time, the mandate was on the airlines to ensure that their passengers are fully vaccinated prior to traveling.Since the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, countries around the world have intensified efforts to contain further spreads of the virus.

Ghanaian authorities are doing everything possible to curtail further spreads of COVID-19 within its borders, including threatening to impose a fine of $3,500 on airlines for every unvaccinated travelers they fly into the country.

Airlines will also be fined every time they fly in vaccinated passengers whose PCR test results do not show negative. The West African country will start implementing these COVID control measures starting from Tuesday December 14, according to reports by local media.

“Airlines that bring passengers to Kotoka International Airport who are not fully vaccinated shall be surcharged $3500 per passenger. All passengers are required to present evidence of having filled Ghana’s Health Declaration Form (HDF) at www.ghs-hdf.org at the point of embarkation. Airlines that bring passengers to Kotoka International Airport who had not filled HDF shall be surcharged $3500 per passenger.” said part of a statement by the country’s Aviation Authority.

It’s important to note that the fines will only be applicable for unvaccinated Ghanaians flying into the country. All unvaccinated non Ghanaians trying to enter the country will be returned to where they are coming from.

READ: How the US and EU countries are using discovery of the Omicron variant to bully Africa [Editor’s Opinion]

Prior to this time, the mandate was on the airlines to ensure that their passengers are fully vaccinated prior to traveling. However, following the recent discovery of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus in Southern Africa, a lot of countries around the world have taken more caution to prevent spread. For Ghana, threatening airlines with fines will encourage them to ensure strict vaccine compliance protocols.

Meanwhile, in a related development Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed on Sunday that the country would ban flights coming from the UK, Canada and Saudi Arabia starting from Tuesday December 14.

Saudi Arabia, along with some European and North American countries had earlier banned flights from Nigeria and other African countries following the discovery of the Omicron variant.