Ask a COVID-19 Question
Last updated: [04/15/21]
**** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
CDC will consider individual waivers of this requirement in exigent circumstances where emergency travel is required to preserve health and safety (e.g., emergency medical evacuations) and where pre-departure testing cannot be accessed or completed before travel.
Although requests for a waiver that meet all the criteria will be given due consideration, the CDC expects that waivers will be rare.
To apply for such waivers, travelers or travelers’ carriers can contact the U.S. Embassy in Harare, or call the Department of State headquarters: From the United States and Canada: 888-407-4747; from overseas: 202-501-4444.
Country-Specific Information
- Zimbabwe has 37,307 confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and 1,542 deaths as of April 12, 2021.
- Of COVID-19 samples sequenced from January, 95% were the variant first identified in South Africa (B.1.351).
- People must wear face masks in public and observe social distancing, defined as keeping a distance of at least one meter from any other individual.
- Businesses, restaurants and schools are open. Supermarkets must close by 8 p.m.
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe? Yes
- If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
- The Government of Zimbabwe has authorized the following list of labs to provide official COVID-19 testing. U.S. citizens will need to pay for tests, which cost on average $65-$75.
- Private Laboratories
- Lancet laboratories
- PSMI Harare Branch
- Cimas Harare laboratory
- Diagnopath laboratory Harare
- Klosad Laboratory Harare
- Mater Dei Hospital Laboratory (DLS)
- Multi Tech
- Flow Cytometry
- Haematology Centre
- Bioexpress Laboartory
- Genau Laboratory
- Pathology Laboratory
- Unki Mine Laboratory
- Government Laboratories
- National Microbiology Reference Laboratories
- National TB Reference Laboratory
- Plumtree District Hospital
- Gwanda Provincial Hospital
- Beitbridge District Hospital
- St Luke’s Mission Hospital
- Victoria Falls Hospital
- Gutu Mission Hospital
- Masvingo Provincial Hospital
- Gweru Provincial Hospital
- Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital
- Kadoma General Hospital
- Marondera Provincial Hospital
- St Alberts Mission Hospital
- Bindura Provincial Hospital
- Rusape General Hospital
- Mutare Provincial Hospital
- Chipinge District Hospital
- Sally Mugabe Central Hospital
- Parirenyatwa Central Hospital
- National Virology Reference Laboratory
- Chitungwiza Central Hospital
- Chikurubi Maximum Prison
- Thorngrove Hospital Laboratory
- Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital
- Josiah Tongogara Magama
- Research and Non-Governmental Organizations
- Population Service International (PSI)
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI)
- African Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Technology (AIBST)
- Collection Points authorized
- Lancet
- Genau
- Test results are most commonly returned by text message or email, but some labs will provide a physical copy upon request.
- For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of Zimbabwe approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use?
- Yes: Sinopharm’s BBIBP-CorV, Sinovac’sCoronaVac, and Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN.
- Are vaccines available in Zimbabwe for U.S. citizens to receive?
- Yes, at a cost. Only public and private sites participating in the Government of Zimbabwe’s vaccination campaign are able to offer vaccines.
- Which vaccines are available in Zimbabwe?
- All three of the vaccines listed above are available in Zimbabwe. At this time, none of these vaccines have received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or from the World Health Organization (WHO).
- For additional information:
- Sites offering vaccines change daily, based on populations being targeted and staffing availability. A list of vaccination sites is not available online, but sites can be found by contacting the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Covid-19 hotline locally by dialing 2019.
- For local information, please visit the website of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care for local updates.
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States. To learn more about the status of WHO Emergency Use Listing of different COVID-19 vaccines available worldwide, visit the WHO’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage.
- The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
- As of December 1, the Government of Zimbabwe requires all new arrivals to the country to present a negative COVID-19 test result issued within the previous 48 hours. Persons without a test result or displaying COVID-19 symptoms may be denied entry
- The Government of Zimbabwe requires returning residents to either have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within the previous 48 hours or to get tested upon arrival and remain in a government holding facility while awaiting the results.
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- U.S. citizens can obtain information about renewing or extending visas at the Department of Immigration Control website.
Movement Restrictions
- Is a curfew in place? Yes
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
- Currently a curfew is in effect from 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. International air travel is subject to testing requirements as outlined below.
Quarantine Information
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?
Returning residents, regardless of citizenship, are required to quarantine for 14 days. Those who arrive with a legitimate negative COVID-19 test will be permitted to self-isolate at their designated address. If travelers present symptoms upon arrival, regardless of a negative test, they will be detained until COVID-19 test results are known. If negative, they will be released to self-isolated at their designated address. Those who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival will be required to quarantine at a government-appointed facility for 14 days. Persons departing the country must present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure. - Non-resident visitors to Zimbabwe, regardless of citizenship, are not required to quarantine after arrival.
- More information about Government of Zimbabwe COVID-related policies is available here.
Transportation Options
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Is public transportation operating? Yes, on a limited basis
Fines for Non-Compliance (if applicable)
- Individuals found violating curfew may be subject to fines and/or arrest.
Consular Operations
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The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe is offering routine American Citizen services. To schedule an appointment for a passport service for U.S. Citizens, please use this online reservation system.To reserve an appointment for notarial services, please follow this link.If you are unable to find an appointment and your situation is an emergency, including emergency passport services, or for other inquiries, including Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, please email consularharare@state.gov or call the U.S. Embassy at 0867 701 1000.
- The Consular Section is providing limited visa services at this time. More information is available here.
Local Resources:
- Other links:
- COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- state.gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page
