Rwanda Resumes International Flights With New Measures

As Rwanda prepares to welcome visitors from across the world, starting 1 August 2020, the country has put some measures in place which passengers must observe before and upon arrival at the Kigali International Airport.

Every passenger must have taken and confirmed the negative of the Covid-19 test within not more than 72 hours of their departure, according to the latest guidelines from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre.

Visitors will also be required to fill out a passenger locator availed on RBC's website form as well as present their Covid-19 certificates on arrival.

They will also be screened and required to take a second test on arrival to confirm their negative status after which they will be taken to one of the designated hotels for up to 24 hours as they await their results.

To facilitate their transit, the government has negotiated rates at 17 city hotels where they will remain until their results are out at their own costs.

Tests will be administered at $50 with an additional $10 medical service fee.

The designated hotels range from two-star to five-star and the prices range between $40 and $200 a night, full board.

For travelers found to be positive, they will be admitted at a local medical facility at their own cost with passengers advised to have international medical insurance.

The measures are part of the government's efforts to continue international travel without heightening the vulnerability of the country amidst the pandemic.

So far eight international airlines that fly to Kigali have applied to reopen operations, and these are; Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airways, and Jumbojet.

Flying experience is set to change as airlines and airports put in place measures to curb the pandemic and reduce the vulnerability of their crews and passengers.

Onboard RwandAir aircraft, the crew will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) - everything from gowns and goggles, to face masks and gloves. onboard services such as meals and snacks have been amended to reduce the frequency of contact between crew and passengers.

Director-General of Rwanda Biomedical Center, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana last week told the media that Rwandair Crew has been given simulation drills of how to handle a case on board in the event of one.