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OSAC Bureau of Diplomatic Security U.S. Department of State
As of April 29, there were 116 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with nine deaths, 65 recovered and 42 active cases. These statistics are constantly updated in French on the Government of Togo’s COVID-19 website. The newest cases show more geographical spread along several towns along the eastern border with Ghana and in the Savannes Region in Cinkassé and Dapaong. While most cases are the result of community transmission, several are the result of carriers bringing the disease from neighboring countries. The Government of Togo is using one phone number, 111, for all questions regarding COVID-19. Do not hesitate to call this number if you believe that you or someone you know has been exposed to COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of the disease.
If you are required to isolate at the Eda-Oba Hotel in Lome due to a positive COVID-19 nasal swab result, please note that the Government of Togo administers chloroquine or hydroxychlorquine to COVID-19 patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently advises against this pharmacologic treatment as there is no evidence that it lessens the duration or severity of COVID-19. The U.S. Embassy may have limited recourse in intervening in your medical treatment if you attempt to opt out of a Government of Togo-required drug protocol. The U.S. Department of State still recommends that U.S. citizens should return to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those with any underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or kidney or heart disease. Togo has limited medical capabilities in the event that you may require a ventilator or other advanced medical care.
Currently Ethiopian Airlines has one flight to the United States every day of the week except Thursday. The flights go to Houston or Newark. If you have been to Europe in the past 14 days, you will need to book your return flight to Newark or you run the risk that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol will deny your boarding on the Houston flight. We expect all U.S. citizens in Togo to avail themselves of the direct Newark and Houston Ethiopian Airlines flights so long as they are running, and we have no indication that they will stop running anytime soon, despite occasional individual flight cancellations.
Contact Ethiopian Airlines’ Lome ticketing and reservation office inside of Hotel Palm Beach on beach road (Boulevard de la Republique or N2) two blocks east of the French Embassy if you wish to return to the United States prior to a possible suspension of commercial flights between Togo and the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Lome has reduced operations to emergency services only until further notice. U.S. citizens with emergencies, including lost or stolen passports, should contact the embassy at consularlome@state.gov or schedule an appointment online.
Please encourage any U.S. citizens you know still present in Togo to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that they may receive the latest COVID-19 updates from the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Lome.
The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The document was compiled from various open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only. Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support.
