Arriving tourists visiting national parks in Rwanda will be exempted from the mandatory three-day quarantine but will be required to take a PCR test on day 3 and 7, as well as rapid antigen tests on a daily basis, at their own cost.

This is part of the new guidelines issued by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for tourism, hospitality, entertainment, recreation, as well as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

Since late last month, the government has tightened Covid-19 preventive measures in the country, in the wake of the Omicron variant.

72 hours prior to tourists’ arrival in Rwanda, RDB will require their tour operators or hotels to submit a facilitation request accompanied by the guest’s identification details, as well as their travel itineraries to visitrwanda@rdb.rw

Tourists, including children over five years visiting the national parks will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 24 hours.

Here, a PCR test is required for all visitors wishing to see primates at Volcanoes, Nyungwe, and Gishwati-Mukura national parks, while a negative rapid antigen test will be accepted for all other activities in the same national parks as well as Akagera National Park.

Concerts, night clubs including silent discos, live performances and band entertainment in hotels, restaurants, bars and other venues are temporarily suspended.

Physical meetings and conferences are not allowed to exceed 50% of the venue capacity, and participants must present proof of full vaccination, and valid negative PCR or rapid antigen test results taken within 24 hours.

On-site testing

"Hotels and restaurants are encouraged to continue providing on-site Covid-19 testing facilities for clients who may require the service. RBC will continue providing the necessary technical support,” reads RDB’s statement.

Clients of hotels, restaurants, cafes and recreational centres in Kigali and secondary cities (Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Nyagatare and Musanze must be fully vaccinated to be allowed access to these services.

Among other guidelines announced by RDB, hotels, cafes, restaurants and recreational centres will be serving at 50% of their capacity indoors and 75% capacity outdoors (in open space), and clients "are strongly encouraged to test for Covid-19 regularly.”

All passengers arriving in the country will be required to test on arrival and quarantine at a designated hotel for 3 days, and take a PCR Covid-19 test on day 3 at the hotel at their own cost.

"The guest can check-out upon receipt of a negative test result. An additional PCR Covid-9 test is required on day 7 from the arrival date, at a designated testing site at own cost,” reads part of RDB’s statement.

In addition, all hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and other accommodation facilities as well as entertainment venues and recreational centers are required to ensure their staff are fully vaccinated and tested for Covid-19 every 14 days.

All guests intending to stay in hotels and other accommodation establishments must present valid negative rapid antigen or PCR test results taken within 24 hours.

Sauna, massage parlours, swimming pools and privately managed beaches are allowed to open for clients who have a negative rapid antigen PCR test results taken within 24 hours. They should also be fully vaccinated, except for persons under 18 years of age.

Fines and penalties will be issued to non-complying establishments by local governments authorities, RDB said.