Location: Mali
Event: Ongoing COVID-19 Response – Flight Tentatively Scheduled for May 20
The Embassy of the United States in Mali has tentatively scheduled a special commercial flight on Ethiopian Airlines direct from Bamako, Mali to Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, May 20. Seats will cost $2100 in economy and $2900 in business class. Please note onward travel from Washington Dulles International is the responsibility of the traveler. This flight will serve American citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and those third country nationals eligible to travel to or transfer through the United States. The Embassy is not currently planning to schedule any additional flights to the United States.
Pre-registration for the flight has closed.
The travel survey* will remain open and late registrants will be contacted on a space-available basis if eligible for travel. Once your information is received, you will be notified via email regarding next steps, including instruction on how to purchase your tickets. You may be required to come to the Embassy to validate your travel documents. Tickets must be purchased by 2:00 PM Thursday May 14, 2020. You will be notified if the flight is confirmed as soon as possible, but no later than Sunday, May 17, 2020.
*Note this is a new travel survey specific to this flight arrangement.
If you are an American Citizen or LPR or are a parent or guardian accompanying an American citizen minor and do not possess a valid travel document to the U.S., please email us at ACSBamako@state.gov to request a special appointment. You are still required to complete the travel survey.
Tickets will only be refunded if not enough seats are sold and the flight does not take place. No exchanges will be permitted.
Additional information about this flight, including how to purchase tickets, will be disseminated through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you are interested in traveling on this flight, please make sure to register with STEP, complete this travel survey, and monitor your email for further information.
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako has cancelled all routine passport, notary, and consular report of birth abroad appointments. If you are in need of an emergency appointment, please email us at ACSBamako@state.gov.
If you have previously applied for a passport or citizenship service, you should expect significant delays receiving your passport. Contact us at ACSBamako@state.gov to check the status of your passport or citizenship document (such as a CRBA).
In an emergency, the U.S. Embassy can assist with an emergency passport for an adult or a minor. For emergency passport services, please contact us at ACSBamako@state.gov to schedule an appointment.
Due to the possibility of an extended disruption, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has suspended routine nonimmigrant visa appointments. Visit the Visas section of the Embassy website for updates.
The Government of Mali has announced that as of May 12, 2020 there are 730 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mali, including 40 deaths and 398 recoveries.
The Government of Mali has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The government has prohibited flights coming from countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19. This led to cancellations of flights into and out of Mali. The Malian government has also closed land borders to passenger traffic. Travelers should be prepared for additional travel restrictions to go into effect with little or no advance notice.
The Government of Mali has taken the following additional steps:
- Face masks are mandatory in public.
- Schools and universities are closed until June 2, 2020.
- Sporting events, festivals, and gatherings larger than 50 people have been banned, and bars and night clubs have also been closed.
- The daily curfew imposed on March 26, 2020 was lifted on May 9, 2020.
- Vehicle occupancy has been restricted to promote social distancing.
- The work schedule for all government offices (with the exception of defense, security, and health) has been reduced to 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- The General Directorate for Commerce and Competition set price limits for essential goods, including sugar, rice, cooking oil, and bread.
- Operating hours of certain stores are through June 30, 2020. Open-air markets (including vegetable stands and livestock markets) are open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Supermarkets and other food stores are open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Small neighborhood shops are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Visit the Malian Ministry of Health website for updated information on COVID-19 in Mali.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19. The CDC has issued a Level 3 Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19. The Embassy has encouraged any Embassy staff with underlying health concerns to consider departing post. U.S. personnel were also advised to ensure they have sufficient supplies of prescription drugs on hand in case of future shortages.
U.S. government personnel are prohibited from leaving the City of Bamako.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Review the Malian Ministry of Health’s website.
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
Assistance:
