Effective January 26, all airline passengers ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.? Check the CDC website for additional information and?Frequently Asked Questions.
Following the cabinet resolutions on January 4th,2021 on measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic including guidlines on tourism, RDB has put in place the following measure to faciliate movement of Tourists between Kigali and other provinces;
2. Only accepted test is the RT-PCR taken within 72 hours for Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks
3. A negative Rapid Antigen Test taken within 72 hours will be accepted for Akagera National Park
4. Other tourism destinations including Hotels will accept either Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR taken within 72 hours taken within 120 hours.
RDB reminds the public to adhere to the health and safety directives issued by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Passengers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new procedures detailed in this Arriving Passenger Information Note from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. Additional detailed new procedures have also been established by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. We encourage visitors to especially note the guidelines for mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand sanitising, negative COVID-19 test result, e-payment, and the requirement to use only authorised transportation from the airport to the designated hotel.Passengers are also required to complete a Public Health Passenger Locator Form before arriving in Rwanda here: www.rbc.gov.rw/travel/
>>> Are visitors coming to Rwanda required to have a COVID-19 test? If yes, how long prior to arrival?
All travellers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 120 hours of departure (meaning travellers must be tested and get results within 5 days of their first flight). Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted
>>> Do I need to take a second test on arrival in Rwanda, how much does it cost and how long will I wait for the results?
Yes, a second PCR test will be conducted once the visitor arrives at Kigali International Airport and would head to their designated hotel booked in advance (see list here). The test costs USD 50 plus a USD 10 medical service fee. Payment methods are detailed here. All travelers (Visitors and Residents) will wait for 24 hours for the results. During the waiting period, visitors will be in isolation at the designated hotel.
>>> Which COVID-19 test is required by health authorities in Rwanda?
The COVID-19 test required to visit Rwanda is known as a Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test.
>>> How will I reach my designated hotel?
On arrival in Rwanda, visitors will be taken to their pre-booked designated hotel by authorised transport. For those who have booked a tour package, the tour operator will be in charge of their transportation. All other visitors will either be transported by their designated hotel or can use authorised taxis.
>>> Can I book a hotel of my choice for the 24-hour waiting time?
Visitors to Rwanda are welcome to book into one of the 24 designated hotels as they wait for their COVID-19 test results. The hotel rate is on a full board basis, excluding alcohol. Any additional orders will be paid for by the guest.
>>> What should I expect at the designated hotel?
Upon arrival at the designated hotel, guests will be tested for COVID-19. After the test, they will await the results which will be sent directly to the guest by SMS or email by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. If the test result is negative, the guest will be invited to checkout. If the test result is positive, the guest will be taken to a medical facility for specialised care, or evacuated in line with medical evacuation protocols.
>>>What are the medical contacts in Rwanda for COVID-19 related issues?
For COVID-19 related health issues, please contact the Rwanda Biomedical Centre via the toll-free number 114 or the Medical Team on duty 24/7 at the Kigali International Airport on +250 781 415 724. In case of any medical, logistical or administrative issue at the designated hotel, kindly reach out contact the site manager at the hotel. Each hotel has a designated site manager.
>>>If I tested negative for COVID-19 on arrival in Rwanda and will spend less than 120 hours in the country, do I need to take another test to depart from Rwanda?
For those spending less than 120 hours in Rwanda, one will not be required to take another test to depart from Rwanda.
>>> I have a long itinerary that will involve visiting three national parks and other places. Some visits to the parks will fall days after I received my test results. Will I have to test again before visiting a national park?
All international tourists visiting national parks are required to schedule their visit within 72 hours of receiving a negative test result. If your visit/s falls more than 72 hours after the initial test on arrival, you will be required to take another COVID-19 test before visiting the parks.
>>> If I test positive for COVID-19 in Rwanda, who pays for my treatment and can I be evacuated to my country?
Visitors who test positive for COVID-19 can either be evacuated in line with medical evacuation protocols or seek treatment at a designated treatment centre in Rwanda at their own cost.
>>> While I am waiting for my COVID19 test results at a designated hotel, can I be visited by friends?
No. Guests waiting for their results at designated hotels are required to remain in isolation. They are welcome to use electronic devices while at the hotel but must respect the privacy of other guests at all times.
>>>We are coming to Rwanda as a family, can we book one hotel room for the 24 hour waiting period?
Yes. Guests can book one hotel room suitable to accommodate a family travelling together.
>>>Is the hotel rate within designated hotels for an individual guest or for a room? Can people share a room?
All visitors are advised to book individually. Only immediate family members can share a room for the duration of the waiting period.
>>>In the event my COVID-19 results are delayed, what happens? Who pays the additional waiting nights/days and if I had a tourism booking, do I get a refund?
Each hotel will have a site manager who will advise on the results within the allotted time.
>>>Will pre-arranged Meet and Greet services be available for guests? If yes, what conditions need to be fulfilled?
A Meet and Greet service is available for tourists who have pre-booked this option as part of a tour package. The service will be coordinated between the private tour operator and Akagera Aviation.
>>>Can I consume alcohol while I am waiting in my hotel room for the test results?
Yes, visitors are welcome to consume alcohol within their hotel room at their own cost.
>>>Can I continue to stay in the same hotel after receiving my test results?
The Government of Rwanda has negotiated special rates at the designated hotels for the waiting period. Should a guest wish to remain in the hotel after receiving a negative test result, they are welcome to extend their stay at the hotel’s regular rates; however, they will be assigned a new room.
>>>Can family members or friends or a personal driver pick one up from the Airport?
No, only vehicles authorised to transport visitors to their designated hotel can pick up guests from the Airport.
>>>Is it mandatory to take a COVID-19 test before departure from Rwanda?
All travellers departing from Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 120 hours before departure. Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted. We encourage travellers to book and pay for their tests at least 2 days prior to departure through the online platform available on www.rbc.gov.rw.
Guests will be facilitated to take this final test in popular tourist locations including Musanze, Nyagatare, Nyamasheke, Rwamagana and Rubavu. Visitors can also be tested in Kigali at Amahoro Stadium “Petit Stade” in Remera and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre Gikondo Branch at the Office of Vaccination Programme on KK 6 Ave. The cost of the test is USD 50. More details and payment methods can be found here.
>>>What time should I arrive at the airport for departure?
Passengers are advised to arrive at the Kigali International Airport at least three hours before their flight.
>>>What happens if my departure flight takes off during the time of the curfew?
Passengers going to Kigali International Airport during curfew hours (between 19:00 and 05:00) are required to apply for a movement clearance pass via www.mc.gov.rw or dial *127# and follow the prompts. Tourists are encouraged to liaise with their tour operators to apply. Please contact New Horizon Tours and Services to book for your tour packages and tour related services in Rwanda via:
info@nhorizontours.com
Our Recommended Tours Packages:
Akagera National Park Tour
2 Days Nyungwe Tour with Chimpanzees Trekking
5 Days Rwanda Expedition with Gorilla Trekking
13 days in Rwanda
