COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Burundi (10 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter Burundi.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• All travellers will undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at their own expense.

Test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside of Burundi are accepted if issued in English or French.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Arriving and departing passengers should carry a certificate for a negative PCR test obtained in the last 72 hours before their embarkation.

• Passengers younger than 12 years of age are exempt from the testing procedure.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Passengers arriving without a PCR test report and refusing a test on arrival will be assigned to a 14-day quarantine at a designated hotel.

• Passengers who are tested on arrival must quarantine for 72-hours while waiting for the result of the test.

• If any passenger on the arriving flight tests positive, all other passengers of that flight will need to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

• Before leaving the quarantine, the passenger must sign an undertaking promising to respect social distancing, quarantine, and health guidelines.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers will need to complete a health declaration form at the airport on arrival. The form requests information on travel history of the last three weeks, contact details, and contingency plan to self-isolate.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• International flights have resumed.

• Melchior Ndadaye International Airport has reopened.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Travellers must get a visa before travel via any Burundian diplomatic mission. Issuing new visas are currently suspended; however, authorities will renew visas for those already in Burundi. Anyone with a visa expired since the flight suspension on 22 March are able to get extensions.

• Land borders have reopened with restrictions. Borders may close with short notice as the installation of health infrastructure for dealing with the pandemic is still pending at a few entry points.

• The border crossings with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are closed for the movement of people but are open for the transport of goods. Movement of people is only possible with special authorization obtained from the General Migration Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Burundi.

• The border with Tanzania is open for movement of Burundian residents, citizens, and non-residents with valid entry permits.

• At some border crossings, such as Mugina (Makamba province), Nominate (Rutana Province), and Kobero substation (Muyinga province), COVID-19 tests are carried out using specific machines with results available after approximately one hour.

• The lake corridor from Kigoma port to Bujumbura port is open. Barge deckhands are not allowed to enter the port.

• The remaining land and marine borders will be reopening based on sanitary infrastructure.

• Departing passengers are also required to have a COVID-19 test.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no lockdown or curfew in effect.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Social distancing measures are not enforced by the government, however, the authorities encourage maintaining social distancing norms.

• Gatherings are allowed with family for religious and cultural events.

• Handshaking and hugging are discouraged.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• No restrictions are in place.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shops and stores are allowed to open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels can be booked for quarantine purposes. Travellers can book the hotels online using this link.

• Hotels are open with public health measures in place, depending on the number of cases in the area.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open with restrictions.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• There are no full lockdown or restrictions in place, and all businesses are allowed to open.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• International tourism is allowed.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and heritage sites are allowed to open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are allowed to operate.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Parties, weddings, religious and cultural events are allowed.

Masks required in public?

• No with exceptions

• Masks are not mandatory, however, authorities encourage citizens to wear a mask on public places.

Other

• Schools have reopened.

• Soccer matches are allowed.

アドバイス

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.