US Embassy temporarily suspends routine visa appointments over COVID-19
The US Embassy in Ghana has temporarily suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments, effective March 17, 2020, in keeping with the Government of Ghana’s efforts to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Embassy would resume routine visa services as soon as possible, it announced in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in Accra.
It, however, said the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee was valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.
“If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided on our website to request an emergency appointment,” it said.
Additionally, emergency services for US citizens in Ghana would continue on a reduced schedule to ensure the safety and welfare of nationals and employees.
It urged the public to take note of the restrictions for travel to the United States from or through certain countries, thus advised the people to visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html, “Presidential Proclamations Regarding Novel Coronavirus,” for more information.
“The health of our visitors is a high priority. These temporary measures are precautionary and not in response to any known or suspected COVID-19 exposure at any of our facilities.
“The US Embassy echoes the Government of Ghana’s call to observe prescribed social distancing and personal hygiene measures to prevent community spread. For more information about COVID-19, visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the American Center (Library) and Education USA Advising Center at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, and the American Corner in Agbogba, have also been temporarily closed to the public beginning effective March 17, 2020.
“The public will not be able to access the library until further notice. All scheduled programs inside American Spaces and the Education USA Advising Center have been cancelled indefinitely,” the Embassy said.
In Kumasi, all Education USA Advising activities are cancelled; however, the testing center remains open,” it added.
Source: GNA