Rwanda: Health officials revise and extend coronavirus disease-related nationwide curfew through at least mid-January /update 14

Officials in Rwanda revise and extend nightly COVID-19-related restrictions through at least mid-January; new curfew hours are 2000-0400.

Event

Officials in Rwanda have revised and tightened the nation's existing nightly curfew and other health measures through at least mid-January as part of government efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Under the new measure, the 2000-0400 nightly curfew will start Jan. 5. Additionally, business establishments including restaurants, shops, markets, and malls will close daily by 1800. Public and private transport is prohibited to and from the city of Kigali as well as between different districts except for medical and essential services. Transportation vehicles are allowed to operate with no more than two people on board.

International travel
International passengers arriving at Kigali International Airport (KGL) airport must present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 120 hours prior to departure. In addition, all arriving passengers are required to quarantine at a designated hotel for a minimum of 24 hours in order to complete a second COVID-19 test. A similar test certificate is required upon departure from Rwanda. Restaurants, hotels, shops, and tourism services have resumed limited operations but must comply with social distancing guidelines. Officials require all traders to accept digital payments as alternative forms of payment. National parks are now open to visitors who have tested negative for COVID-19.

Domestic restrictions

Individuals are required to wear protective face coverings while in public. Penalties will be applied for nonzcompliance.
Land borders remained closed except the border with DRC; the country's borders with Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania are open for goods and cargo traffics, as well as returning Rwandan citizens and legal residents. All returnees are subjected to mandatory quarantine in accordance with existing health guidelines at their own cost.
Bars are closed until further notice.
Some academic activities have resumed, with authorities conducting mass testing at schools.
Funeral attendance may not exceed 30 persons.
Government offices will remain open, albeit with only 50 percent of their staff working onsite at a time, while other employees work from home.
All social gatherings and events including religious wedding ceremonies, receptions, meetings, and conferences are prohibited.
Public gyms and swimming pools remain close to the public except for COVID-19 tested guests staying at hotels.

All establishments that reopen and activities that resume are subject to strict health directives aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Rwandan authorities review the country's preventive measures every 15 days and could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Context

Rwanda's travel restrictions and preventive measures are similar to actions other governments are taking globally in response to the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.