As the world is still battling the Coronavirus / COVID- 19 pandemic that has left all governments around the world and their people buffed about what the next day will bring given its rampant spread. Countries are starting to ease on the stringent measures that they had passed earlier on aimed at combating the spreading of the coronavirus disease. The spirit behind the lift up of the measures is to enable people to return to some kind of normal life and also be able to work and fend for themselves.
Akagera national park
Rwanda just like all other east African countries is also gearing up for re-opening the country to tourist arrivals since the country’s economy relies on the foreign exchange dollars that are injected into it by tourists who flock this small East African state mainly to see the giant mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park as other wildlife that can be found in its conservation areas such as Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Rwanda was the first African country to enforce a total lockdown which came into effect on the March 21st 2020 In a document that was released by Rwanda’s Prime minister’s office, the government announced that all unnecessary movements outside the home have been banned for an initial two weeks except for essential services such as health care and shopping for groceries.
Both public and private workers have also been ordered to work from home to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Rwanda also closed its borders completely, except for goods and cargo and returning citizens. However, they have to be quarantined for two weeks.
However, after close to 90 days of local down, the Rwandan government is now trying to re-open the country to welcome international visitors was more.
Wild gorilla has seen the new guidelines that are going to enforce on all foreigners visiting Rwanda
- The Rwandan government is considering admitting tourists travelling by charter flights both as individuals or groups as long as they a confirmed booking at a tourist attraction in Rwanda
- Tourists and flight crew members are expected to test negative twice for Coronavirus / COVID-19. Tourists will test at least twice, once upon arrival and then after entering Rwanda
- Tourists will be transferred to a transit hotel while waiting for the COVID-19 results, atleast for 5 hours and the cost for the tests will be included in the price for tour packages
- Tour operators and tour guides are to pick their clients or tourists from the transit hotel after results have been released
- A cost of a yet to be mentioned amount of money in USD per Coronavirus disease test will be included in the tour package
- While in the country, tourists and flight crew members are to abide by the Ministry of Health guidelines and the specific guidelines of for tourist attractions including national parks
- For any emergency, questions or feedback in regard to Coronavirus/ COVID-19 tourists are to call on a toll-free number 114
- Domestic tourists intending to visit primate parks in Rwanda ie Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park are to test negative prior to their visit to any of these parks
- The Coronavirus test should be taken 72 hours prior to the scheduled date of visiting the primate parks. Tourists are required to visit these parks within 72 hours of the negative test date. The results should be presented at the park’s reception.
- District and referral hospital to be used as testing centers for domestic tourists. They need to have a confirmed booking
