Location: Algeria
Event: The global public health threat posed by the ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is high, with more than 13,818,963 reported cases worldwide. On July 18, the Algerian Ministry of Health announced 22,549 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1,068 deaths, in Algeria.
The Algerian government has started to ease the measures it had undertaken to limit the spread of COVID-19 by allowing more businesses to reopen and allowing some public transportation in cities to resume, but the lifting of restrictions will be gradual and dependent on the evolution of COVID-19 cases in Algeria.
People are required to wear a protective mask when in public. All land borders remain closed and the suspension of non-cargo domestic and international air and maritime travel remains in place. All vehicle travel between the 29 provinces listed below as being impacted by a curfew has been prohibited. The governor of Algiers prohibited all public transportation on Fridays and Saturdays until further notice. Public transportation (and depending on the province, private transportation) may be suspended in the other 28 provinces affected by a curfew on Fridays and Saturdays.
A curfew is in effect in 29 of Algeria’s 48 provinces, including in Algiers, where the curfew is from 8pm to 5am. The other provinces covered by the curfew are: Boumerdes, Souk Ahras, Tissemsilt, Djelfa, Mascara, Oum El Bouaghi, Batna, Bouira, Relizane, Biskra, Khenchela, M’sila, Chlef, Sidi Bel Abbes, Médéa, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Tipaza, Ouargla, Bechar, Constantine, Oran, Sétif, Annaba, Bejaia, Adrar, Laghouat, El Oued. Curfews are constantly being reviewed and revised and the curfew may be more restrictive in certain provinces or in certain areas of the provinces above for short periods of time as the health situation develops.
The Ministry of Health has advised people to dial 3030 if they suspect they are symptomatic. Visit the website of the Algerian Ministry of Health for updates and its dedicated webpage for additional information on these measures.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of U.S. personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19. U.S. government personnel are advised to practice social distancing and restricting movements. U.S. Embassy consular services are limited as further described below.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
The CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Notice for Algeria.
American Citizen Services: Effective March 16, 2020, U.S. Embassy Algiers suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information: https://dz.usembassy.gov/ or see assistance information below. Several airlines are running exceptional flights for their citizens. Seats may be available at short notice for other nationalities. If you wish to depart Algeria and are interested in receiving information about possible upcoming flights, please email ACSAlgiers@state.gov.
Visa Appointments: The United States Embassy in Algeria remains unable to resume routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services at this time. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date. The MRV fee is valid and may be used to schedule an interview appointment 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 at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/dz/dz-main-contactus.asp, e-mail support-Algeria@ustraveldocs.com, or call 213 982 402 688 to request an emergency appointment.
Applicants for H1B, H2B, H4, L and certain J categories covered by Presidential Proclamation 10052 should request an appointment only if you have reason to believe you may qualify for one of the exceptions listed in the Proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/.
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