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Consular Section Opening Hours

The High Commission has recently updated operational hours following the easing of lockdown rules in the United Kingdom.

Hours of Service are Mondays through Thursdays, 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Consular Days are also Mondays through Thursdays, operating between 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. Consular visits are by appointment only. To make a Consular Appointment please send email to consular.appointment@www.slhc-uk.org or call 0207 404 0140

COVID-19 Social distancing guidelines as well as other protocols including the use of face masks must be observed to minimise health risks.

Visitors to the High Commission should make an appointment in advance..

Sierra Leone High Commission, London

NOTICE

The High Commission has resumed operations and is now open for business following the easing of lockdown rules in the UK.

Hours of Service are Mondays through Thursdays, 11.00 am to 3.00 pm.

Consular Days are Tuesdays and Thursdays 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. Consular visits are by appointment only. To make a Consular Appointment please send email to consular.appointment@www.slhc-uk.org or call 0207 404 0140.

COVID-19 Social distancing guidelines as well as other protocols including the use of facemasks must be observed to minimise health risks.

Visitors to the High Commission should make an appointment in advance.

Sierra Leone High Commission, London

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Following the declaration made by His Excellency Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio on the resumption of commercial flight operations on the 22ndJuly 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sierra Leone Airports Authority and the National COVID- 19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) publishes the following safety and public health guidelines which shall be strictly adhered to by all arriving and departing passengers at/from the Freetown International Airport.

ARRIVING PASSENGERS

  1. All passengers shall produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at point of
  2. At the check-in desk at the airport of embarkation, passengers are required to display travelers’ authorisation to Sierra Leone, received through the Government of Sierra Leone travel portal (www.travel.gov.sl). The travel authorization consists of:
    • Negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72 hours before departure,
    • Pre-departure public health passenger locator form
    • Proof of payment for COVID-19 testing on arrival, paid through the online platform
  3. Health officials will collect temperature, basic health screening data, and seat number on arrival.
  4. All passengers shall be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival:
    • Passengers will simultaneously have a PCR test swab and an RDT test on
    • If the RDT screening is negative, passengers are allowed to depart from the airport and observe public health protocols (mandatory proper mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing) while awaiting their PCR test
    • If the RDT screening if positive, passengers will be isolated at a hotel in Lungi while awaiting their PCR test result. Note, the cost of the accommodation at the hotel shall be borne by the
    • For all test results, the PCR result supersedes the RDT
    • PCR results will be disseminated via the local contact number confirmed by the passenger on arrival.
  5. All children under 2 years shall be exempted from pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements.
  6. Airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements and should follow airline policy for testing. Airline crew must adhere to public health protocols.
  7. Two temperature screenings will be conducted by Port Health Services. If temperature is 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, passenger will be taken aside for further observation.
  1. All passengers shall go through a walk-through disinfectant channel/Infrared temperature scanner at the entrance of the arrival
  2. All passengers with machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration E-gate Passengers with Emergency Travel Certificates or non-machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration booth.
  3. At the Baggage Reclaim section passengers shall maintain social distancing and observe all public health protocols, including proper use of face mask at all
  4. All passengers will be directed to a Reception Lounge while awaiting their COVID-19
  5. Passengers with a negative RDT screening test are cleared to proceed to their destination, while awaiting their PCR result and adhering to public health protocols. PCR test results (available in no more than 48 hours) will be distributed via the contact confirmed on
  6. If a passenger’s PCR test is positive, s/he will be contacted by public health authorities and taken to an appropriate treatment
  7. Passengers sitting near a positive case on the plane will be considered primary contacts. Self-quarantine and monitoring by public health officials will be
  8. All passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper and constant use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observing social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation /
  9. The same protocols shall apply to all VIP

DEPARTING PASSENGERS

  1. All passengers are subjected to a mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID- 19 test with a negative result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at the Freetown International Airport. Cost for this test will be borne by the
    • Passengers will use the Government of Sierra Leone Travel Portal to request their pre-departure test, to pay for the test, and for scheduling sample
    • Passengers with negative PCR results will receive e-confirmation and certificates ahead of Physical copies can be collected at the airport at a designated desk.
    • Passengers with positive PCR results will not be permitted to travel and must follow public health protocols for isolation and contact tracing. They will be re-tested after seven
    • Passengers who have entered Sierra Leone within five days shall be exempted from the mandatory additional test on
    • All children under 2 years shall be exempted from PCR test requirements.
  2. On arrival at the airport, passengers shall be directed to a reception area to avoid congestion and ensure social distancing during the check-in.
  3. All passengers are encouraged to complete their check-in online before arriving at the airport.
  4. All departing passengers shall go through the thermal screening/disinfectant channel at the airport’s departure
  5. All departing passengers shall have their passport/travelling document verified before proceeding to the check-in
  6. Departing passengers shall proceed to the check-in counter for baggage drop and collection of their boarding pass. While at the check-in counter, they are mandated to produce their COVID-19 PCR negative test certificate or e-certificate issued within past 72
  7. Departing passengers shall proceed to the immigration services for onward travel authorization via the e-gate or immigration
  8. All departing passengers shall go through security screening before proceeding to the departure
  9. All departing passengers shall proceed to the waiting lounge where social distancing, proper use of face mask and other health protocols shall be strictly
  10. All passengers shall proceed to the final screening and verification point prior to boarding the
  11. Boarding procedures shall be in accordance with the approved SOPs of the respective airlines.
  12. All passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observe social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NACOVERC.
  13. The same protocols shall apply to all VIP