As part of the Rwandan government’s efforts to contain/prevent the spread of coronavirus, the following are the Updated Rwanda Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for travelers on Rwanda safaris tours; hospitality, entertainment, recreation, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) as of February 2022:
All travelers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative Covid-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 RealTime Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours before departure (meaning travelers must be tested and get results within 3 days of their first flight).
Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs), are not accepted. COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years.
Incoming travelers eligible (aged 12 years and above) for the Covid-19 vaccine are encouraged to be fully vaccinated before their travel.
On arrival in Rwanda, all arriving passengers will be required to take a COVID-19 RT.PCR test and Antigen Rapid COVID-19 Tests
Arriving travelers are no longer required to quarantine in designated hotels.
On day three following the arrival date, an extra Ag. RDT COVlD19 test must be done at specified testing facilities (Camp Kigali or nearest Provincial or District hospitals for those out of the City of Kigali).
Both mandatory tests, which must be done on arrival and day three, must be paid for upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
A negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours will be needed of all travelers on Rwanda tours/Rwanda safaris, including children above the age of 5, where applicable, who wish to explore Rwanda National Parks.
An RT. PCR COVID.19 test is required for all visitors who wish to visit the primate national parks of Rwanda on their Rwanda gorilla safaris or chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda.
For example, if you are interested in gorilla trekking in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park, Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, or nature walks in Gishwati-Mukura National park, you must present a negative RT. PCR COVID.19 result taken within 72 hours.
Live performances at hotels, restaurants, and pubs, including live bands and Karaoke, shall resume. COVID-19 preventative rules must be followed by all participants, including entertainers/performers. Also, all participants must be completely/fully vaccinated.
Concerts organized inside the confines of specified event venues will gradually resume. Organizers must submit a request for approval to the Rwanda Convention Bureau via email at info@rcb.rw at least 10 days before the event.
Night clubs must apply for re-opening to the RDB by email. Tourism.regulations@rdb.rw is the RDB’s email address for this. Within seven working days, RDB will make a decision on whether or not to open the case again.
Approved nightclubs must be able to hold 50 percent of their capacity and be open during business hours. Clients who go to a nightclub must be fully vaccinated and have negative COVID-19 test results taken in the last 72 hours.
In order for a club to be approved, it needs to make sure that all of its employees are fully vaccinated and checked for COVlD-19 every 14 days. Staff who is eligible for the vaccine booster shot are asked to do so.
Cinema halls or movie theaters are only permitted to accommodate up to 75% of the total capacity of the venue.
Clients must provide confirmation of full vaccination as well as a valid negative COVID-19 test result that was taken in the last 72 hours.
Physical conferences and meetings should not exceed 75% of the venue capacity. Participants must submit documentation of full vaccination and a valid negative RT-PCR or Ag RDT COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours.
Hotels, bars, restaurants, cafés, and recreation facilities may serve customers at 75 percent capacity. Clients must be completely vaccinated. Clients are highly recommended to test for COVID-19 frequently.
All hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, and other accommodation businesses, as well as entertainment venues and leisure centers, are expected to guarantee their workers are completely vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 every 14 days.
Hotel/Lodges in and around Rwanda safari parks are needed to test more routinely. All eligible employees are advised to receive the vaccine booster shot.
Hotels and restaurants are encouraged to continue offering on-site COV1D-19 testing facilities for clients who may need the service. Rwanda Biomedical Centre will continue giving essential technical assistance.
All guests seeking to stay in hotels and other accommodation places must produce genuine negative Ag RDT or RT-PCR COVID-19 test results obtained within 72 hours.
Sauna, massage parlors, swimming pools, and privately managed beaches are allowed to open for clients who have a negative Ag RDT or PCR COVID-19 test was taken within 72 hours.
All clients must be fully vaccinated (except for persons under 12 years of age). The staff of these establishments must be fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 every 14 days. All eligible staff is encouraged to take the vaccine booster shot.
Note: Establishments are required to verify their clients’ COVID-19 vaccination and testing statuses using the RBC Covid-19 Results & Covid-19 Vaccination portals or the USSD 114#.
Fines and penalties will be issued to non-complying establishments by local government authorities as set by respective Districts or City of Kigali Councils.
RDB reminds you to adhere to the health and safety directives issued by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19. If you are found in violation, you will be penalized accordingly.
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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