COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Rwanda (19 July 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 arriving or transiting for up to 12 hours through Rwanda will be screened upon entry and will have a second RT-PCR test on arrival. Travellers will be required to wait at designated transit hotels for their test results. The COVID-19 test results will be fast-tracked for transiting passengers so that they can get the results before their connecting flight.

• All transiting passengers who will not leave the airport, and those who may leave the airport for the designated transit hotel for less than 12 hours will be screened upon entry but will not be required to take a second test. This is not applicable for passengers transiting by land border. These passengers will be required to undergo an RT-PCR test and wait for the result 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 their own expense, at Kigali International Airport and will be required to wait for the test results for at least 24 hours at the 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 accepted? *

• Yes

• RT-PCR test certificates issued outside of Rwanda are accepted. The certificate must include the term “RT-PCR”, or the certificate will be considered invalid. Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs), are not accepted.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes

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

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• No with exceptions

• All passengers with a travel history to India and Uganda within the 7 days prior to travel to Rwanda are required to complete a mandatory quarantine for 7 days upon arrival at designated hotels (Ubumwe Grande Hotel, Landmark Suites, and Corina K. Guesthouse, Hilltop Hotel and Colours Club SPA & Garden Resort) at their own expense.

• Arriving travellers may be asked 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 self-quarantine, provided that on arrival, they can provide proof of their plans. 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 while in Rwanda, even if asymptomatic, they will be treated as indicated by the National COVID-19 Management Guidelines until they have fully recovered. All treatment is at the expense of the traveller. The vaccination status of travellers does not change these protocols.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers can expect to be exempted from quarantine or be required to spend 7 days in quarantine on arrival in Rwanda.

*Insurance required? *

• No

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

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• Each traveller will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form before departing for Rwanda. The form 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 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 5 years of age are exempt 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 have a negative test certificate for COVID-19 issued 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.

• Authorities have imposed a ban on flights from Uganda.

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 18:00 to 04:00 is in effect until further notice.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• 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.

• Private and public offices are closed in the city of Kigali and in the districts of Gisenyi, Rubavu, Karongi, Nyagatare, Gicumbi, and Burera.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Movement is prohibited from 18:00 to 04:00 (local time).

• Travel between Kigali and other districts across the country and travel between districts is prohibited except for medical reasons and other essential services. However, vehicles transporting goods will be allowed with no more than 2 people on board.

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

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

• A lockdown is in effect in the city of Kigali and in the districts of Gisenyi, Rubavu, Karongi, Nyagatare, Gicumbi, and Burera. Movement in these areas may only be permitted between 04:00 to 18:00 (local time).

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All businesses are allowed to operate until 17:00 (local time).

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

• Businesses are closed - except for selling food, medicine, and essential services - in the city of Kigali and in the districts of Gisenyi, Rubavu, Karongi, Nyagatare, Gicumbi, and Burera.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

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

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are allowed to provide services with reduced capacity until 17:00.

• In the districts of Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana, restaurants are open only for takeaway services.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Cafes are allowed to provide services at a reduced capacity until 17:00. Bars are closed.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Tourism has resumed.

• Rwanda's national parks are open. All visitors may be 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? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Gyms are allowed to open with occupancy limits.

• In the districts of Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana, gyms are closed.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Places of worship can open with reduced capacity.

• Authorities have prohibited religious services in the districts of Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana.

*Events allowed? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All types of meetings including social gatherings in home and family are prohibited in the districts of Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana.

• Funeral gatherings are allowed with reduced capacity.

• Weddings are currently prohibited.

• A negative COVID-19 test result is 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.

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

• Schools and universities are closed in the districts of Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana.

• In the districts of Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana, outdoor sports and recreational activities are prohibited.

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 practise social distancing, 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.