Hi folks,

does anyone have any current info on travel conditions and possible restrictions/border closings in Guinea and Sierra Leone? Latest WHO reports indicate 964 cases and 603 deaths. However, WHO does not recommend travel or trade restrictions. We are planning to head south from Mauritania in late Nov., through Kayes, into Senegal at Kidara, into Guinea on the N8 to Mali (town in Guinea), explore the Fouta Djalon area, then head south into Sierra Leone and Freetown, where we are planning to do some volunteer work.

any info would be appreciated!

thanks, Rick.

As it stands, no, all borders are open to the best of my knowledge.

Senegal closed it's border with Guinea back in April, but it opened again a few weeks later.

Mauritania closed all borders with Senegal back in April too EXCEPT for Rosso and Diama, these crossings remained open.

Absolutely no reports of other borders closing to date, but note:

- Sierra Leone said it closed all of its borders to 'trade' about 6-7 weeks ago. I presume that means what it means (cargo), as it appears people are still crossing at main borders

- It is worth noting that the Ivorian government refused to take 400 refugees back into the country from Liberia a few weeks back, citing the ebola threat as a concern. However, there is possibly a political edge to this decision too (refugess are possible Gbagbo supporters). No reports that the border has closed.

It is a very mixed affair with the latest ebola news. By far the area of greatest concern is the east of Sierra Leone (Kaliahun and Kenema area), and also in Lofa country in Liberia.

Guinea is reporting much less cases in recent weeks, and indeed MSF have closed the treatment centres in Telimele and Macenta due to no new cases for 21 days. However, the lack of new cases in Guinea could be because locals are not attending clinics any longer out of fear. It is too difficult to judge.

Even so, the biggest outbreak in Guinea was and remains in the forest region around Gueckadou. The smaller outbreaks in Boffa, Telimele, Dabola, Karoussa etc appear to be contained. It still rumbles on in Conakry but at a relatively low level considering it was first reported there in March.

There is no certainty what will happen next with regards if the outbreak will be contained, but there does appear to have been a significant push over the past 2-3 weeks to address the failures of the past few months in doing more to stop it spreading. Time will tell.

Authorities all say the risk to travellers is considered quite low as long as sensible precautions are taken.

thanks Dave!

We are hopeful that things are now getting under control. A friend that leads the Develop Africa non-profit provided the following link for updates from Sierra Leone ministry of health:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Minis...81064805403702

What other crossings are there?

True Priffe! I do believe there are numerous others along the length of the border (I've heard that locals cross close to Kaedi and Bababe), but they're probably only for locals.

Yeah they do, but only in pirogues

A Swedish couple are stranded in Kenema, Sierra Leone, after the city has been placed in quarantaine.
500 locals have died, and 15 aid workers of them four doctors. 3-4 new cases every day. Borders closed.
Is it getting out of control?
Svenskar är fast i Sierra Leone | Nyheter | Aftonbladet (use google translate )