Post COVID 19 travel guidelines to Africa: Since outbreak of corona virus in 2019, there has been and still ongoing changes in the travel sector in Africa and worldwide-travel restrictions here and there. With the world still left uncertain about when COVID 19 will stop, travelers have continuously adapted to the new way of life-social distancing, wearing masks, sanitizing etc. All these measures are intended to ensure that we stay safe from this deadly disease.
Some African countries have opened up for travel but do you know of any travel guidelines? How we used to travel is no longer the same but being one of the top tour operators, we are ever committed to ensuring that all our clients stay safe. In this particular article, we take you through the different COVID 19 travel guidelines/protocols, entry requirements to the Southern and Eastern Africa.
Before you board, most airlines usually ask passengers to present a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours of departure. At times, some airlines require the RT-PCR test for both inbound and outbound fights. It should be noted that the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests.
Rwanda
International travel in Rwanda resumed on 1st August 2020. Tourism business resumed in Kigali Capital and other Provinces, districts of Rwanda but with adherence to the COVID 19 guidelines. As of June 15 2021, all passengers to Rwanda coming from Uganda and India are required to take 7 days mandatory quarantine on arrival at the designated places and at their cost. All airlines must conduct thorough check to ascertain if passengers reserved the 7 days in the designated hotel facilities prior boarding.
To ensure that the spread of COVID 19 is minimized, the Rwandan government requires all visitors arriving in Rwanda to complete filling the passenger locator form/PLF and COVID 19 test certificate must be uploaded prior setting off to Kigali International Airport. Check the PLF and the designated hotel facilities on www.rbc.gov.rw.
All visitors arriving/transiting for over 12 hours via Rwanda must undergo screening on entry. He or she must take the second RT-PCR test upon arrival. The sample collection will be done at Kigali airport on your arrival and you will be required to wait a little for yours results at the designated transit hotel. Tests are conducted at USD 60 and only for adults not children below 5 years.
Do I need a COVID test? Yes, a negative PCR test result should be taken within the period of 72 hours before departing for Rwanda. A SARS-CoV2 Real Time Polymerase is the only acceptable test if you are heading to Rwanda. For all international travelers on Rwanda safaris and they plan to visit National Parks, visits should be scheduled within 72 hours of getting their negative test results. With negative test results, you can be in position to visit the 4 National Parks in Rwanda; Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, Akagera National Park for game viewing while Nyungwe Forest N/Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks are the best for chimpanzee tracking.
Departing visitors should also have negative COVID 19 test results within 72 hours prior. Please make sure that you book and make payment for the tests 2 days before departure and you can do so online https://rbc.gov.rw. Note; curfew in Rwanda runs from 8:00pm-4:00am. Businesses, restaurants inclusive close at 7:00pm.
Tanzania
Flights in Tanzania-international or departing flights are all open but with adherence to COVID 19 protocols/guidelines. Visitors from India undergo 14 days/2weeks mandatory quarantine. Visitors on transit shall be mandated to undertake rapid test on arrival in Tanzania.
All visitors visiting Tanzania must complete the Health Surveillance Form which you can find at moh.go.tz. You will be provided with a unique health code which you will present before the health officials in Tanzania upon arrival. The transiting and arriving visitors are subjected to health screening on entry and this includes rapid test which costs USD25 per person.
Uganda
Entebbe International Airport (EBB), resumed flight businesses early on 1st October 2020. But, visitors landing into Uganda will be subjected to tests upon arrival. The tests must be taken and approved within 72 hours before departure whether inbound or outbound. Visit the nearby testing laboratories designated to perform the testing like Test and Fly Laboratory.
For visitors who are departing Uganda, a PCR COVID 19 test is required and this should be taken within 72 hours before. Other significant things you must have at the back of your mind; wearing of mask is a must, social distancing is mandatory, curfew is from 7:00pm-5:30am.
Tests in Uganda cost USD65 and visitors who show signs/symptoms of COVID 19 shall be taken to treatment centre or repatriated for treatment but at their cost. He or she shall be isolated at the respective designated areas as per government’s guidance.
Botswana
In Botswana, international travel resumed in Dec. 2020. The country’s airports that re-opened on 9th November 2020 include Kasane, Gabarone and Maun airports. On 1st Dec 2020, Francistown airport re-opened while commercial border points like Kazangula resumed business on 1st December 2020.
Like most African countries, Negative PCR Test results are required and should be taken within 72 hours before you board the plane. Tests are conducted in the different parts of the country including Maun. It takes 24 hours for your results to be ready and cost ranges from USD 60 to 90.
However, visitors are encouraged to fully vaccinate prior travel while those from high risk places may undergo quarantine in the designated places. All passengers arriving into the country undergo screening and must also undertake rapid antigen test on entry even if you have PCR test results.
Before departing Botswana, a valid Negative COVID 19 PCR result taken within 72 hours will be required. Wearing of the face masks is mandatory in all public places in Botswana. As of to date, curfew at Gaborone is set between 10:00pm and 4:00am, effective through out September 2021. The PCR/antigen tests are available but at visitors’ expense. Note: Alcohol is presently banned.
