Update on Situation in Djibouti
The Government of Djibouti has imposed a general, country-wide lockdown, except for essential services. Traffic has been restricted to a minimum and is only allowed with government authorization. On April 15, Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh issued a presidential decree extending the country-wide lock down for another 15 days, until April 30, but it is expected to last longer. All passenger movement into and out of Djibouti has been suspended and ground, sea, and air borders are closed to passenger traffic. The Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also restricted military and humanitarian flights with personnel.
On April 17, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Djibouti reached 732. The Djiboutian authorities continue to systematically identify and test contacts through active tracing. The Djiboutian Ministry of Health confirmed the first fatality of COVID-19 on April 9.
Update on International Flight Options
The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging further repatriation flights from Djibouti at this time. On March 30, a special commercial flight organized by the U.S. Embassy in cooperation with the Government of Djiboutian departed Djibouti’s Ambouli International Airport for Addis Ababa where passengers arranged their own onward commercial flights to the United States. On April 6 a French Embassy arranged special commercial flight departed Djibouti for Paris. Space was made available for U.S. citizens who expressed interest in returning to the United States.
While the U.S. Embassy does not anticipate arranging further flights at this time, U.S. citizens who wish to depart Djibouti are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti by emailing the following information to DjiboutiACS@state.gov:
- Full name
- U.S. passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Current Location and address
- Any pre-existing medical conditions
Suspension of Routine Passport and Citizenship Services
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of State is limiting its domestic passport operations. This has reduced our ability to offer routine passport and citizenship services overseas. If you have previously applied for a passport or citizenship service, you should expect significant delays receiving your passport and your citizenship evidence. If you previously scheduled an appointment for a passport or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad after March 15, that appointment has been cancelled and you will need to schedule a new appointment after we resume operations. In an emergency, we can assist you with an emergency passport for an adult or a minor. To request emergency passport services for U.S. citizens abroad, please contact us at DjiboutiACS@state.gov.
Information on Visa Services
The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti suspended all visa services effective March 15, 2020. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. If your immigrant visa appointment was scheduled for a date after March 15, that appointment has been cancelled and we will contact you to reschedule your appointment after we resume operations. If a previously issued immigrant visa expires because the applicant is unable to depart Djibouti due to the border closures, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti at ConsularDjibouti@state.gov after we resume operations.
Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel: The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
Actions to Take
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on trave.state.gov for the latest information
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/ or restrictions
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Djibouti
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Assistance
U.S. Embassy in Djibouti
Lotissment Haramous, Lot # 350-B
Djibouti City, Djibouti
(+253) 77-877-229 (after hours)
U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
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