News About Congo

Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, DRC (April 21, 2020)

Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 21, 2020)

 
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
 
Event: Confinement Order for Gombe, Kinshasa 
 
The government of Kinshasa will slowly relax the confinement order for the Gombe neighborhood of Kinshasa that was put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
 
Beginning Wednesday, April 22, businesses in Gombe providing essential goods and services may re-open to allow for people to provision themselves. Residents of Gombe will be allowed to move around in their neighborhoods but not leave Gombe. Everyone must wear a mask while in public. Those who do not wear masks may be fined. Checkpoints with temperature checks will continue.  
 
The U.S. Embassy is located in the Gombe neighborhood and all routine ACS services remain suspended until further notice. If you require an emergency ACS service, such as a passport, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
 
Be aware that other parts of the country may institute similar measures with little or no advance notice. Monitor local media for updates on your area. Please inform us at [email protected] if you learn of lockdowns or confinement orders in your area that may affect other U.S. citizens.  
 
If you are interested in options to depart DRC, please visit our website on COVID-19 and send the requested information to our email address: [email protected]. We will continue to send out options for flights departing DRC as we learn of them.
 
Visit the DRC Ministry of Health COVID-19 website for updated information on the situation in the DRC. Visit the CDC website for information on symptoms and how to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
 
Actions to Take

Seek opportunities to depart.
Prepare for long periods of confinement. Maintain stocks of food, supplies, and medicine.
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
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 travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your medical evacuation insurance on options should you fall ill.
Visit the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page to find medical provider information in the DRC.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the DRC.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa/Gombe, +243 81-556-0151/0152 or +243-972-616-193 (after hours and weekends.)
U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa/Gombe, +243 81-556-0151/0152 or +243-972-616-193 (after hours and weekends).
[email protected] or [email protected]

https://cd.usembassy.gov/

State Department – Consular Affairs +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
Democratic Republic of Congo Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
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Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 5, 2020)

Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 5, 2020)

 
Location: Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 
 
Event: 14-day Confinement Orders for Gombe, Kinshasa and Goma Starting April 6
 
KINSHASA: The government of Kinshasa has ordered that the Gombe neighborhood of Kinshasa be under a 14-day confinement from April 6 to April 20 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is possible the confinement order will be extended to other Kinshasa neighborhoods in the coming days or weeks.    
 
We advise all U.S. citizens in Kinshasa to depart on the U.S. Embassy-organized flight to Washington, D.C. on April 9. If you have not yet purchased a seat visit our COVID-19 website and contact us at [email protected] immediately. Transportation to the airport during the confinement will be provided.    
 
The U.S. Embassy is located in the Gombe neighborhood and remains open for emergency U.S. citizen services by appointment only. Please email us at [email protected] immediately if you require an emergency passport or other assistance before the April 9 flight.     
 
GOMA: The government also ordered that the city of Goma be under a 14-day confinement period starting Monday April 6 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. U.S. citizens should prepare to remain in residences with proper supplies and continue to work with the Consular team to seek departure options from Goma.
 
Be aware that other parts of the country may institute similar measures with little or no advance notice. Monitor local media for updates on your area. Please inform us at [email protected] if you learn of lockdowns or confinement orders in your area that may affect other U.S. citizens. Please remain in contact with us as you seek options to depart.
 
The government of the DRC has declared a State of Emergency effective March 24 to limit the spread of COVID-19. All international passenger flights are suspended except for limited special commercial flights organized by embassies. All domestic passenger flights between Kinshasa and the provinces are suspended. All road and river transport between Kinshasa and the provinces are suspended for passenger traffic. Goods transport continues with control checkpoints at Kinshasa city limits. DRC National Police and military will patrol to ensure the new rules are followed. Schools and universities remain closed, sporting events and gatherings larger than 20 people are banned, bars and restaurants are closed until further notice and non-food stores in Kinshasa were ordered closed.
 
Visit the DRC Ministry of Health COVID-19 website for updated information on the situation in the DRC. Visit the CDC website for information on symptoms and how to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19.
 
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is considering all options to assist U.S. citizens in DRC. We are compiling a list of persons seeking to leave DRC. If you would be interested in options to leave, please visit our website on COVID-19 and send the requested information to our email address: [email protected].
 
Note: This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP.
 
Actions to Take

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
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 travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Visit the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page to find medical provider information in the DRC.
Check with your medical evacuation insurance provider to see what options exist should you become ill in the DRC.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the DRC.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

Assistance: 

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa/Gombe, +243 81-556-0151/0152 or +243-972-616-193 (after hours and weekends). 
[email protected]
Embassy Website: https://cd.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
Democratic Republic of Congo Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 
 

Health Alert - U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 2, 2020)

Health Alert - U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 2, 2020)

 
Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 
 
Event: Special Commercial Flight to Washington, D.C. April 9
 
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa arranged a special commercial flight from Kinshasa to Washington, D.C. on April 9 for U.S. citizens and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. Tickets will cost approximately $2,000 and must be purchased quickly. Ground transportation from residences/hotels will be provided as we expect Kinshasa to be under confinement orders. Travelers will be responsible for onward travel from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) or stays in the Washington, D.C. area.
 
If you already contacted us about departure options, we will send you an email directly with flight and payment information. Please do not send your information again unless your circumstances have changed.   
 
If you have not sent us your information and are interested in this flight option, please send the following for each member of your family to [email protected].  

Your full name as spelled in your passport (SURNAME, Given Name)
Nationality
Current phone number and WhatsApp number
Email address
Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
Passport number, date of issuance, date of expiration. If not a U.S. passport, please note country of issuance.
Current location (city, country, hotel name if not in residence)
Health condition and special considerations
Number of U.S. citizens in your party. Please note any non-U.S. citizen immediate family members seeking to travel with you. 
DRC visa status (i.e. valid until MM/DD/YYYY)
Employer or affiliation within DRC

Please attach a scan or photo of the bio-page of the passport and, if applicable, LPR card for each traveler. Non-citizen family members must send a scan of a valid U.S. LPR card or visa to be considered for the flight. 
 
If you are a non-U.S. citizen parent of a U.S. citizen child, please tell us if the non-U.S. citizen parent has appropriate travel documentation to enter the U.S. (i.e. valid U.S. visa, valid LPR card). If the non-U.S. citizen parent does not have travel documentation, please identify an adult who can travel with the U.S. citizen child. 
 
Note: This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP.
 
Actions to Take

Prepare for long periods of confinement. Maintain stocks of food, supplies, and medicine.
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
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 travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Visit the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page to find medical provider information in the DRC.
Check with your airlines or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the DRC.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa/Gombe, +243 81-556-0151/0152 or +243-972-616-193 (after hours and weekends).
[email protected]

https://cd.usembassy.gov/

State Department – Consular Affairs +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
Democratic Republic of Congo Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.