Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Tunis, Tunisia

Location:  Tunis, Tunisia

Event:  The U.S. Embassy in Tunis is providing an update on COVID-19 in Tunisia.

Tunisia Country-Specific Information:

  • The Tunisian Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE) provides regular COVID-19 updates on their official Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/ONMNE/.
  • As of August 16, the Tunisian Ministry of Health has confirmed 2,314 cases of COVID-19, with over 1,000 new cases announced since the borders reopened on June 27.
  • On August 14, Tunisia registered its highest number of single-day reported COVID-19 contaminations (120) since the virus outbreak in March.
  • The largest number of COVID-19 cases are in the governorates of Ariana, Gabes, and Sousse, with the governorate of Gabes announcing 251 new cases since August 5 (1 imported and 250 local, 218 specifically from El Hamma).
  • On August 11, the Government of Tunisia announced a law mandating the use of face masks in certain public spaces including airports, train stations, hospitals/clinics, and shopping malls.

 

Tunisia Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Tunisia reopened its air, land, and sea borders on June 27, permitting entry to residents of certain countries based on a three-tiered classification of public-health risk (green, orange, and red).  The most current lists can be found on ONMNE’s Facebook page.
  • The United States is currently on the Government of Tunisia’s red list, barring entry of all U.S. citizens unless they are dual Tunisian nationals, Tunisian permanent residents, or the spouse/minor children of Tunisian citizens or residents (with documented proof of relationship).  
  • Upon entry, travelers in one of the excepted categories listed above are required to present the results of a negative COVID-19 PCR lab analysis test administered within 72 hours of arrival. All red list arrivals from the excepted categories should expect to quarantine at one of the Tunisian Ministry of Health quarantine facilities for two weeks.

 U.S. citizens in Tunisia should:

  • Immediately contact the Tunisian Ministry of Health urgent medical services SAMU (190) if exhibiting symptoms and/or have been exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Contact the Ministry of Health toll free number with non-emergency COVID-19 questions at 80 10 19 19.

 

Other links:

 Country Information and Travel Advisory page

Assistance:

  • U.S. Embassy Tunis, Tunisia

Address:  Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis

Phone number:  +216 71 107 000, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; the after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +216 71 107 000

Email address:   tunisacs@state.gov

Embassy website:  https://tn.usembassy.gov/

  • State Department – Consular Affairs
    Phone number:  888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)