Return from Christmas Break

[paoloparon]

Dear Tim and colleagues,

First of all, let me make a big praise for how the School and the Community is moving forward through this new learning/working set-up. 

As the weeks are rolling out quickly towards the end of the year, I have a question regarding the suggested date of return to Addis for families who will travel abroad during the Christmas break. 

You suggest returning to Addis on the 2nd of January. 

However I am wondering which country will be able to test for Covid-19 on 31Dec or 1st Jan and return the results on time for families to fly back to Addis by the 2nd of January. 

I have two specific questions:

1) I would like to ask you if you can confirm that the Ethiopian law allows for the test to be done 5 days prior to arrival. This is still somehow not clear between Ethiopia Airlines and MoH. [a link to an official document would help here]

2) Alternatively if a family will return after the 2nd of January what is the procedure that you recommend?

Thanks and best wishes,

Paolo

[ICS Comms]

Thanks Paolo for your email.

To answer your questions,

1) Based on the most recent directive from the Ethiopian government, a negative PCR Test is required within 120 hours of arrival.

2) There is a 7 day quarantine upon arrival into Ethiopia.  If you arrive after 2 January you will still need to complete your 7 day quarantine before your student/s can return to campus.  We highly recommend a COVID test on your 7th day of quarantine, before returning to campus.  School begins on 4 January online and on campus from 11 January.  If your student/s will not be on campus on 11 January (or any day) be sure to notify your divisional office by emailing either es.o...@icsaddis.org or ms.o...@icsaddis.org or hs.o...@icsaddis.org

Each country has their own process for getting tested and getting the results.   HERE is a copy of the latest directive from the Ethiopian Government.

Best,

ICS Communications