This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
On July 6, 2020, Rwanda's Ministry of Infrastructure announced plans to reopen airports and resume scheduled commercial flights, effective August 1, 2020.
As part of the new measures, all passengers, including those in transit, will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 PCR negative test taken within 72 hours of entering the country. Additionally, all passengers will undergo a second PCR test while staying at designated hotels at their own cost, with results available within 24 hours.
The country closed its airports to commercial flights on March 20, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on June 17, 2020, the Rwanda Airports Company opened up airports, including the Kigali International Airport, for private and chartered flights.
The planned resumption is a relief to Rwanda's national carrier, Rwandair, which had to slash employees' salaries by between 8% and 65% in April as a cost-cutting measure.
Rwanda is the only sub-Saharan Africa country approved for travel to the European Union, along with Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
