Health Alert: Tunisian Government Announces General Lockdown from May 9 to May 16

The U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia is providing an update on Tunisian COVID-19 mitigation measures.

On May 7, 2021 the Government of Tunisia announced that a country-wide general lockdown will take place from midnight on May 9, 2021 through 05:00 on May 16, 2021.

During the lockdown:

  • A curfew will be in effect each day from 19:00 to 05:00.  During curfew hours, all non-emergency movements are prohibited.
  • During daytime hours, movement is limited to emergencies, vaccine appointments, and grocery shopping.
  • Intercity and intergovernorate travel will be banned.
  • Gatherings and festivities (including cultural, family, and sports gatherings) are banned.
  • Mosques, leisure spaces, parks, and service stores will be closed.
  • Daily and weekly markets, supermarkets, and malls will be closed.

U.S. citizens in Tunisia should respect the curfews, adhere to local government regulations, and monitor local media for any updates.

Entry requirements for international travelers:

  • All arriving passengers aged 12 and over are required to present the negative results of a RT-PCR test upon arrival, taken less than 72 hours before departure.  Printed test results should include the date the test sample was taken and the passenger’s name.
  • All international arrivals (to include Tunisian citizens) are required to complete a mandatory seven-day quarantine at agovernment selected hotel, followed by a new RT-PCR test between the fifth and seventh day (self-scheduled and self-funded). Passengers will be required to show proof of their hotel booking upon arrival.
  • Thoseexempt from the quarantine (including those with proof of full vaccination), are required to comply with the lockdown measures and only leave their place of residence for essential services.
  • The Tunisian Ministries of Health and Interior will determine if individual travelers will be permitted to enter Tunisia, and the U.S. Embassy is unable to intervene if a traveler is denied entry to the country.

Consular Operations:

  • In compliance with the general lockdown, the U.S. Embassy Consular Section has cancelled all appointments (American Citizen Services and visas) that were scheduled for May 10, 11, and 12.
  • All American Citizen Services appointments (including passport and notarial services and passport pick-ups) will be postponed until the following week. If you had a passport, CRBA, or notarial appointment scheduled, you will receive an email confirming your new appointment date and time.
  • All non-immigrant and immigrant visa interviews will also be postponed to the following week, and visa applicants will be contacted via email with their new appointment date and time.
  • Private U.S. Citizens may send inquiries to TunisACS@state.gov.  Due to reduced staffing capacity, please except a delay in response time during the lockdown.

U.S. citizens should refer to the Embassy’s COVID-19 Information Website for regular updates about COVID-19 in Tunisia.

Local Resources:

Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia, Washington, D.C. Website
Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia, Washington, D.C. Facebook Page
Tunisian Ministry of Health Facebook Page
Tunisian Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE) Facebook Page
Tunisian COVID-19 Information Facebook Page

 For Assistance:  

U.S. Embassy Tunis, Tunisia
+216-71-107-000
Tunisacs@state.gov
https://tn.usembassy.gov/
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