Info note for travelers
NOTICE ON ENHANCED EBOLA PREVENTION MEASURES
Kigali, 22 May 2026
The Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor the Ebola outbreak reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
There is currently no case of Ebola in Rwanda.
As part of Rwanda’s ongoing precautionary measures to protect public health, further strengthen preparedness, early detection and rapid response capacity, the Ministry of Health has reinforced health screening and vigilance at land points of entry along the border with the DRC. In addition, enhanced entry control measures are being implemented at Kigali International Airport for inbound travellers to Rwanda.
Effective immediately:
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All foreign nationals who have travelled to, or transited through, the DRC within the last thirty (30) days prior to their intended travel to Rwanda will be denied entry.
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Rwandan nationals and foreign residents with valid proof of residency in Rwanda will be permitted entry. However, those who have travelled to, or transited through, the DRC within the same thirty (30) day period will be subject to mandatory quarantine procedures in line with public health protocols.
The Ministry of Health, together with WHO Rwanda, earlier this week briefed international organisations and the diplomatic corps in Rwanda on the country’s preparedness and the precautionary measures currently in place. The Ministry emphasized that all activities within Rwanda continue as usual, including conferences, events, tourism, business, and travel within Rwanda.
Rwanda remains open, safe and prepared. Visitors, residents and event participants are encouraged to continue with their planned activities while observing standard hygiene practices and following official public health guidance.
The Ministry of Health, in coordination with other relevant Government institutions, will continue working closely with national, regional and international partners to protect the health and safety of everyone in Rwanda.
For health information or to report symptoms, the public is encouraged to contact the Rwanda Biomedical Centre hotline: 114.
YELLOW FEVER
The following is the WHO list of Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination. This list of countries is dynamic can change anytime depending on situation:
Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela In a bid to prevent transmission of Yellow Fever in Rwanda,
1. All travelers traveling to Yellow Fever endemic countries should be vaccinated 10 days before traveling.
2. To enter Rwanda, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required to travelers (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from Yellow Fever non-endemic countries and without an active transmission outbreak of Yellow Fever.
3. To enter Rwanda, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory to travelers (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from Yellow Fever endemic countries and any country with an active Yellow Fever transmission outbreak
4. For travelers (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from an active Yellow Fever transmission outbreak country or have recently (within 24 days) visited an active Yellow Fever transmission outbreak country, the following instructions are applied:
i. An entry will bowed to a traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) who at arrival presents:
-A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
-Without fever (less than 38.5oC)
-Consents to self-report for any symptoms for 6 days
iii. A traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) with an invalid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (less than 10 days after vaccination) will be quarantined until the certificate becomes valid
iv. A traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) coming from a country with active Yellow Fever transmission or known Yellow Fever endemic country without a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate will be vaccinated upon entry.
v. No entry will be allowed to a traveler (Residents / Non-Residents) who does not consent for preventive measures described in points 1-4
vi. The cost related to quarantine and/or the vaccination upon entry will be covered by the traveler.
COVID-19
The following Covid-19 travel guidelines and procedures are in place for travelers, effective immediately. These guidelines will be regularly reviewed and revised in light of health conditions.
Before departure:
1. Covid-19 testing is no longer a requirement prior to boarding the flight to Rwanda. However, regular Covid-19 testing is encouraged.
2. The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure.
Arrival:
1. An additional Covid test is no longer required upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
2. Face masks are no longer mandatory in Rwanda, but people are encouraged to wear a face mask in public indoors/closed spaces.
3. In addition, the public is urged to get frequently tested while continuing to observe preventive measures including social distancing and hand hygiene.
Test results:
Test results will be shared by SMS, and via the online portal accessible at www.rbc.gov.rw. In case of difficulty obtaining results, contact the RBC on 114 or covid@rbc.gov.rw.
Departure:
1. A Covid test is no longer a requirement to depart Rwanda by air. However, Covid testing (at own cost) is available for all travellers whose final destination requires one at health centres and other designated sites.
2. All Rwandan travellers aged 12 years and above must show proof of full vaccination before departing Rwanda by air. Fully vaccinated for people aged 18 years and above means having two doses and a booster when eligible (administered 3 months after second dose.)
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Toll free number: 114
Email: mvd@rbc.gov.rw
Once again, we thank you for your cooperation in the fight against MVD.