Borders of Ethiopia will remain open, and foreign citizens will be able to apply for an Ethiopian visa to travel to the country. However, some requirements must be met by all the travellers.

Overseas visitors are needed to take some extra steps while preparing for their Ethiopian trip. A PCR test requirement is introduced by the government for the majority of travellers. 

You will find important information regarding travel to Ethiopia and the COVID-19 test, including:

• When can you take a PCR test for Ethiopia
• COVID-19 test types that are accepted 
• Where can you take a coronavirus test
• Requirements of travellers who don’t need a covid-19 test 

COVID-19 Test Requirements for Ethiopia

A negative covid-19 test result must be presented by the passengers in the form of a medical certificate before their flight to the country. The test should not be taken more than 120 hours before arrival in Ethiopia. 

Your flight won’t be allowed to board, and you won’t be able to enter the country if you arrive at the airport without a test result (negative). 

COVID-19 Test Requirement Exemptions

Children under 10 and transit passengers are exempt from the requirements of the COVID-19 test. 

Service and diplomatic passport holders and their families are also exempt from the requirements of the COVID-19 test requirement, but they are encouraged.

Travellers that are issued by an African Union or United Nations Laissez-passer also do not require a COVID-19 test requirement. 

Types of COVID-19 Tests are Accepted 

Only several types of COVID-19 tests are accepted by the Ethiopian authorities

RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) test is required, which is stipulated by the government of Ethiopia. It is a molecular diagnostic test that indicates whether the traveller is infected by coronavirus currently or not. 

Test results of RT-PCR are highly accurate and may not require to be retaken as compared to other tests. The results could take several days as the samples for analysis are sent to the laboratory.

Can I have a rapid diagnostic test while traveling to Ethiopia?

RDT (Rapid Diagnostic test) results will not be accepted if you plan to travel to Ethiopia. 

You can see the results of RDT in just 15-30 minutes, and they are not as accurate as of the RT-PCR test; that’s why it is necessary to have a negative result of a molecular test. 

How Soon to Have a COVID-19 Test for Ethiopia

To have fewer chances of getting infected with COVID-19 between boarding a flight and having a test, passengers must have the test taken as close as possible to the departure date. 

While travelling to Ethiopia, a negative test result in the form of a medical certificate that is not taken more than 120 hours before arrival must be shown. If the test result is more than 5 days old, it will not be accepted. 

Do Vaccinated Travelers Need a COVID-19 PCR Test for Ethiopia?

The coronavirus vaccination program is started by most countries. Travellers, as a result, will wonder if they require a COVID-19 test. 

Currently, whether you are unvaccinated or vaccinated, you will require the exact entry requirements: You will need to present a negative test result in the form of a medical certificate to be eligible for entry into the country. 

Vaccine certificates are discussed by countries worldwide, it is not clear if Ethiopia will accept such a document. 

Where to take a COVID-19 test if traveling to Ethiopia?

A test result taken in approved COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratories will be accepted. You can find the list of all approved labs online

Can I get tested for coronavirus at Addis Ababa airport?

No, you won’t be able to take the coronavirus test at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. It is mandatory to take a test before departure for all those travellers who require a COVID-19 test. 

All the passengers must be checked by the airline staff to confirm if they have a negative RT-PCR test. 

COVID-19 Test in Ethiopia

The foreigners who want to visit their home countries will require a coronavirus test and will need a certificate. 

Following are the approved clinics that are offering COVID-19 test for all international travels  Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital :

• New Silk Road Hospital

• International Clinic Laboratories Ethiopia

The test must be booked in advance. You may find different requirements depending on the country. Most of the countries will require a test not taken more than 72 hours before departure. 

Ethiopia's Additional COVID-19 Entry Requirements

You must keep yourself updated regarding coronavirus entry restrictions, if you plan a trip in the near future. You may be subjected to the following along with a PCR test:

• Screening at the airport
• Quarantine on arrival

These are temporary exceptional health measures and, once considered safe, will be lifted. Travellers should keep in mind the entry restrictions and Ethiopian visa requirements as well.