COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Rwanda (01 May 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

• All travellers transiting through Rwanda, who are not leaving the airport and those who will leave the airport to go to the designated transit hotels for less than 24 hours will be screened upon entry and are not required to take a test on arrival.

• Travellers transiting by land borders will be tested using the RT-PCR test and will be required to wait for the results at the designated transit hotels before proceeding.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes

• All travellers will go through a health screening on arrival. Travellers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at Kigali International Airport and will be required to wait for test results at designated transit hotels.

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

• Health screening is in place for all departing passengers. Travellers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be prevented from leaving the country and will be moved to isolation for testing. Travellers departing Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure. PCR tests can be booked online through the Irembo platform, found here.

*Test certificate allowed? *

• Yes

• PCR test certificates issued outside of Rwanda are accepted. The certificate must include the term “PCR”, or the certificate will be considered to be invalid.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes

• All travellers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a COVID-19 RT-PCR performed within 72 hours prior to departure to Rwanda. Other tests are not accepted. Accompanied children under 5 years of age are not required to be tested.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes

• All arriving travellers are required to self-quarantine at home for 7 days after leaving the transit hotel. At the end of this period, travellers will receive an SMS inviting them to designated testing sites for a final test that will be performed free of charge.

• Business travellers who plan to be in Rwanda for a short stay (less than 7 days) and international tourists scheduled to visit national parks will not be required to undergo a 7-day quarantine, provided they can provide proof of their plans on arrival. However, they are still subject to departure procedures which include a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

• If a traveller’s test result is positive for COVID-19 (even if asymptomatic) while in Rwanda, they will be treated as indicated in the National COVID-19 Management Guidelines until they have fully recovered. All treatment is at the expense of the traveller.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be required to spend between 7 days and 14 days in quarantine.

*Insurance required? *

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

*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, before departing for Rwanda.

• The designated hotel list can be found here.

• Travellers must submit the form within 72 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.

• Passengers below 16 years of age are exempted from this requirement if travelling with a guardian/parent, provided they arrive and depart together, stay at the same address in Rwanda, and add the details of the dependents on the guardian's/parent's form.

Is Vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

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.

• Travellers departing Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure. PCR tests can be booked online through the Irembo platform, found here. Accompanied children below 5 years of age are exempt from test requirements.

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 the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda's Western province are open only 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 night curfew between 21:00 - 4:00 is in effect until further notice.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Mass gatherings are prohibited.

• Public employees will continue to work from home except for those providing essential services.

• Private businesses have resumed operations with essential staff and a reduced capacity.

• Violation of rules may lead to penalties and fines.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks must be worn on public transportation.

• Travellers, including drivers, are required to complete and submit movement requests together with copies of negative COVID-19 test results to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the trip.

• Public transport (buses) is operating with a reduced capacity. Motorcycle taxis are permitted to carry passengers and must observe public health protocols.

• Movement between Kigali and other provinces is now permitted except for Bugesera, Nyanza and Gisagara districts. Specific guidelines on the three districts will be provided by the Ministry of local government.

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

• 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

• All businesses are allowed to operate until 20:00.

• Markets and malls are open for essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels are open. Some hotels may require a certificate for a negative COVID-19 test.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to open with a reduced capacity and must close by 20:00.

Bars and Cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Bars are closed. Cafes are open with reduced capacity.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Tourism has 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.

*Personal care services open? *

• No

• Personal care services will remain closed until further notice.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Places of worship can open with reduced capacity.

*Events allowed? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Event organizers must maintain public 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 undergo voluntary testing.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in public places.

Other

• Sporting activities in open spaces are allowed.

• Gyms and recreation centres are closed.

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

• Schools and universities have resumed.

• Travellers departing Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.