The Rwandan Health Ministry has issued a notice stating that, effective December 16, direct flights between Rwanda and South Africa have been reinstated.

All passengers arriving and transiting in Rwanda must have a certificate of a negative PCR test, the sample having been taken within the 72 hours prior to their departure. The Ministry warns that rapid tests are not acceptable. Accompanied children under five years need not test.

The Rwandan Government requires that all travellers, both arrivals and transiting passengers, fill in a passenger locator form and upload the PCR test certificate before heading to the airport. See www.rbc.gov.rw.

Arriving passengers must quarantine for three days, at their own cost, at a designated hotel. Passengers will be tested on arrival and on Day 3 at the designated hotel, and are required to test again at a testing centre on Day 7. Passengers must pay US$60 (R960) as indicated on the passenger locator form. The Government of Rwanda says it has negotiated special rates for the three-day quarantine.

Travellers transiting Rwanda for more than 12 hours have to take a second PCR test on arrival and must await the result at a transit hotel. Results of the PCR test will be fast-tracked so that the passengers may board their flights timeously.

Thembela Dladla, RwandAir Country Manager South Africa, confirmed the reopening of flights between the two countries and told Travel News that the carrier was still working out the schedule for the resumption of its flights. He said RwandAir would make an announcement to this effect soon.