COVID-19 Information

The Department of State has issued COVID-19 Traveler Information and advises all U.S. citizens to read the country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide.

Last updated:  April 20, 2023

*** As of 12:01 a.m. EDT June 12, 2022, the CDC order requiring all persons aged two and above to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded.  Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer order air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States.  Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect.  For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information

• The Burkina Faso Ministry of Health reported 21,631 cases of COVID-19 and 387 related deaths in Burkina Faso as of September 20, 2022, including 69 new cases of COVID-19 and 0 deaths in September 2022.
• The Ouagadougou and Bobo airports returned to normal operations on August 1, 2020.  All land borders opened for routine traffic on December 1, 2020.  For details on possible pre-departure requirements related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including testing requirements, please contact your airline.  As of June 3, 2020, the Government of Burkina Faso cancelled the curfew, which was in effect throughout the country, except for the provinces that are under state of emergency restrictions (the East and Sahel regions, Kossi and Sourou provinces in Boucle de Mouhoun, Kenedougou province in Hauts Bassins, Louroum province in the North, and Koulpelogo province in the Center-East region).

COVID-19 Testing

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Burkina Faso? Yes 
• If so, are test results reliably available within one calendar day? Yes
• Laboratoire Bio2000 in Ouagadougou has COVID-19 testing results available within 24 hours.
• As of December 21, 2020, COVID-19 tests for travel purposes can be obtained at a cost of 25,000 CFA (approximately $45 USD).  All centers performing COVID-19 diagnostic are contracted by the government.  Testing sites include:

Ouagadougou

• Yalgodo Ouedraogo teaching hospital (CHU-YO)
• Hospital Saint Camille (CERBA)
• National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP)
• Teaching Hospital Tengandogo (CHU-T)
• Health Science Research Institute (IRSS-Ouaga)
• Teaching Hospital Bogodogo (CHU-B)
• The International Airport of Ouagadougou
• Laboratoire Bio 2000 – this is a private laboratory located in Ouaga 2000

Bobo-Dioulasso 

• Teaching Hospital Sanou Souro (CHU-SS)
• National Reference Hemarrogic Viral Fever Center in Centre Muraz (LNR-FHV)
• National Influenza Reference Laboratory (LNRG)

Travelers can receive a link by SMS to download and print the COVID-19 test results.  Hard copies are also available for those unable to download and print a hard copy of the test results.  Non-travelers are required to pick up a hard copy of results at the testing facility.

There are limited humanitarian exemptions to CDC’s requirement that all U.S.-bound travelers present a negative COVID test.  Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered when the country of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity.  To submit information in support of an exemption, email OuagaNIV@state.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

• Has the government of Burkina Faso approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
• Are vaccines available in Burkina Faso for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes
• Which vaccines are available in Burkina Faso?
• As of June 13, 2022, the following COVID-19 vaccines are available to the public:  Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Jonson’s Janssen, Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm.  COVID-19 vaccines are free of cost at vaccination sites during walk-in hours from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The list of vaccination sites is available at the Regional Health Direction of Central Region in Ouagadougou. After receiving the first dose, individuals are registered in a platform to receive a reminder message for a second dose.
• Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
• The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?  Yes 
• The Ouagadougou and Bobo airports returned to normal operations on August 1, 2020.  All land borders opened for routine traffic on December 1, 2020.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?  No
• American citizens are currently permitted to enter Burkina Faso. All travelers must either present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid diagnostic test taken within the past 5 days. Please note that you are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after your vaccination date. If a passenger does not arrive with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, a rapid COVID-19 test will be performed at the airport, at a cost of 25,000 CFA (approximately $45 USD) and the passenger will be detained until results are available. All travelers are also required to present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or a negative COVID-19 PCR (nasal swab) test dated within three days of their flight’s departure to depart from Ouagadougou International Airport.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?  Yes
• American citizens may contact the local Burkina Faso authorities for information on visa extensions for residents and/or tourists.

Movement Restrictions

• Is a curfew in place?  No
• As of June 3, 2020, the Government of Burkina Faso cancelled the curfew, which was in effect throughout the country, except for the provinces that are under state of emergency restrictions (the East and Sahel regions, Kossi and Sourou provinces in Boucle de Mouhoun, Kenedougou province in Hauts Bassins, Louroum province in the North, and Koulpelogo province in the Center-East region).
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?  No

Quarantine Information 

•  Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?  No 

Transportation Options

• Are commercial flights operating?  Yes 
• Is public transportation operating?  Yes

Consular Operations

• U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou is open for full consular services, including American Citizen Services and visa services.

Local Resources:

• Burkina Faso Ministry of Health COVID-19: https://www.sante.gov.bf/covid19

Other links:

• COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov 
• CDC page on COVID-19
• Travel.state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory Information