COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Rwanda (11 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Passengers in transit must have a medical certificate stating a negative PCR test report issued within 120 hours before departure from the first embarkation place. Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDT’s) are not accepted.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Screening facilities have been installed at all entry points.

• On arrival, passengers will undergo another test at their own expense. If found negative, the passengers will be allowed to leave the quarantine location and continue their journey. In the case of a positive report, the passenger will be moved to a government-designated medical centre for further treatment.

• Travellers crossing the land border from the DRC will be required to have a rapid test performed prior to entering Rwanda.

Test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• PCR test certificates issued outside of Rwanda are accepted and the certificate must include the term “PCR”, without which the certificate will be treated invalid.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All passengers, including those in transit, must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within 120 hours (five days) before departure from the first embarkation place.

• All travellers departing from Rwanda are required to have a negative PCR test performed within 120 hours prior to departure. The authorities encourage travellers to book and pay for the test within at least two days before departure. Booking and payment can be done here.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers must complete a 24-hour quarantine in a government-designated location while waiting for the result of the COVID-19 test done on arrival.

Insurance required?

• No

• Insurance is not required, however, the government of Rwanda encourages travellers to have international travel insurance.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers will need to complete a Passenger Location Form which includes the details of travel, passport information, PCR test results, and hotel booking details for the initial 24 hours of quarantine.

• The designated hotel list can be found here.

• Travellers have to submit the form within 120 hours before departure.

• On submission of the form online, travellers will receive a confirmation email with a unique health code which will be required on arrival at Rwanda.

• Passengers below 16 years of age are exempted from this requirement if travelling with a guardian/parent.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• The Kigali International Airport (KGL) is open.

• Commercial flights to and from Rwanda are operating but have not yet returned to a full schedule.

• Qatar Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have resumed services to and from Rwanda.

• Flights to London and Brussels are operating.

• International commercial air services are operating between Rwanda and five countries - Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Somalia and Tunisia.

• An air bubble agreement between India and Rwanda allows airlines to operate flights to and from both countries. Entry will be allowed to:

• Stranded nationals, residents, foreign nationals destined for Africa and transiting through Rwanda or spouses of these persons.

• Indian national or national of Nepal or Bhutan destined for any country in Africa and holding a valid visa for the destination country.

• Seamen of foreign nationalities and holding Indian passports would be allowed after getting permission from the Ministry of Shipping. Seamen should be destined to countries of Africa only.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Tourists arriving by air are allowed to enter Rwanda. Land borders will remain closed, except for cargo, goods, and returning citizens and residents, and other essential reasons.

• Border crossings between the North Kivu province of Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) and Rwanda’s Western province reopened for healthcare workers, medical patients, teachers, students, and traders with special permission to travel.

• Passengers can check for visa availability and updates here.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• A nationwide curfew from 22:00 to 04:00 (local time) will remain in effect until further notice.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Mass gatherings are prohibited.

• Currently, the government has eased restrictions and is increasing the number of participants allowed at funeral services, in government offices, in places of worship, and church wedding ceremonies.

• Violation of rules may lead to penalties and fines.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks must be worn on public transportation.

• Movement from Rusizi to and from other districts is allowed.

• Public transport to and from Kigali has resumed.

• Public transportation, such as buses, motorcycles and taxis are operating.

• Bicycle taxis (abanyonzi) are operating in permitted areas depending on the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by local authorities.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Shops are open.

• Markets can reopen with a limited number of vendors.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to open until 22:00 hours.

Bars and cafes open?

• No

• Bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Tourism operations have resumed.

• Rwanda’s national parks are open. All visitors are required to obtain a negative PCR test report obtained before 72 hours of visiting the national parks of Rwanda without which entry will be prohibited.

• Tourists can book the appointment via [email protected] or +250 (0)788313800.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• All museums are allowed to open for visit within 08:00 to 17:00 hours (local time).

Personal care services open?

• No

• Spas will remain closed until further notice.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are allowed to open under strict social distancing norms and limited capacity and must maintain 1.5 meters distance and wearing masks. Children under age 12 are now allowed to attend.

• There must be a gap of at least two hours for cleaning purposes between services.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• Event organizers must maintain health guidelines and organize events with limited participants. Meetings, conferences, funerals, and weddings are allowed with a limited number of people.

• A negative COVID-19 test result is no longer required for attending any social gatherings, meetings or conferences; however the government encourages people to have voluntary testing.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in public places.

Other

• Sporting activities in open spaces are allowed, including no contact sports.

• Gyms and recreation centres are closed.

• Businesses have resumed work but with essential staff only. Other employees should work from home.

• Gaming operators are allowed to open with social distancing measures.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.