Wednesday 1st September 2021 Update

On 1st September 2021, the government reviewed and issued new COVID-19 preventive measures. The new measures issued took effect from 2nd September and will last till 22nd September 2021, where the cabinet will review them upon a health assessment.  

Below are the updated government measures.  

•  Movements are prohibited between 10:00 pm and 04:00 am in the city of Kigali. For the rest of the country, movements are prohibited between 9 pm, and 4 am with businesses closing by 8 pm. However, for districts including Burera, Gicumbi, Kirehe, Ngoma, Nyagatare, Nyamasheke, Nyaruguru and Rwamagana where movements are prohibited between 8 pm and 4 am, and businesses close by 7 pm.  
• Public and private offices will continue with essential staff but not exceeding 50% capacity while other employees continue to work from home. Private business also resumed with essential staff not exceeding 50% 
• Physical conferences are allowed but should not exceed 30% of venue capacity, and event organizers must comply with all COVID-19 preventive measures, including a PCR negative COVID-19 test results required for all participants taken within 72 hours before the meeting. 
• Arriving passengers

Wednesday 11th August 2021 Update

On 11th August 2021, the government reviewed and issued new COVID-19 preventive measures. The new measures issued took effect from 12th August and will last till 1st September 2021, where the cabinet will review them upon a health assessment.  

Below are the updated government measures.  

• Movements are prohibited between 8:00 pm, and 04:00 am, and businesses will close by 7:00 pm.  
• Public and private offices will continue with essential staff but not exceeding 50% capacity while other employees continue to work from home. Private business also resumed with essential staff not exceeding 50% 
• Meeting and conferences are allowed but should not exceed 30% of venue capacity, and event organizers must comply with all COVID-19 preventive measures (negative COVID-19 test results required for all participants) 
• Arriving passengers at the airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. 

• Public transport will continue to operate at 75% capacity with strict adherence to the health guidelines (social distancing and mask-wearing). Motos and bicycles will continue to work with strict compliance with the health guidelines (disinfecting passenger’s helmets). 
• Schools and higher institutions of learning are closed.  
• Malls and markets will continue to operate with only essential vendors not exceeding 50% capacity of registered traders.  
• Tourism will continue with strict adherence to COVID-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators, and transport services assisting guests.  
• Individual and non-contact sports activities will continue with strict adherence to health guidelines. Gyms and fitness centers will resume progressively. 

These measures will be reviewed after two weeks upon a health assessment. For more detailed COVID-19 measures, visit: Office of the Prime Minister 

Friday 30th July 2021 Update

After a 15-day complete lockdown in Kigali and eight other districts, the government reviewed and issued new COVID-19 preventive measures on Friday 30th July 2021. The new measures issued took effect from 1st August and will last till 15th August 2021, where the cabinet will review them upon a health assessment.  

Below are the updated government measures.  

• The complete lockdown was lifted in the City of Kigali and eight. Movements are prohibited between 6:00 pm, and 04:00 am, and businesses will close by 5:00 pm.  
• Movements between Kigali and other provinces and districts have been resumed except for sectors under localized lockdown.  
• Public and private offices were re-opened but not exceeding 15% capacity while other employees continue to work from home. Private business also resumed with essential staff not exceeding 50% 
• Meeting and conferences are allowed but should not exceed 30% of venue capacity, and event organizers must comply with all COVID-19 preventive measures (negative COVID-19 test results required for all participants) 

• Arriving passengers at the airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. 
• Public transport will continue to operate at 50% capacity with strict adherence to the health guidelines (social distancing and mask-wearing). Motos and bicycles will continue to work with strict compliance with the health guidelines (disinfecting passenger’s helmets). 
• Schools and higher institutions of learning are closed.  
• Malls and markets will continue to operate with only essential vendors not exceeding 50% capacity of registered traders.  
• Tourism will continue with strict adherence to COVID-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators, and transport services assisting guests.  

• Individual and non-contact sports activities will continue with strict adherence to health guidelines. Gyms are closed. 

These measures will be reviewed after two weeks upon a health assessment. For more detailed COVID-19 measures, visit: Office of the Prime Minister 

Monday 21st June 2021 Update

In light of the uptick in cases of COVID-19 in the country, on Tuesday 29th June, the government of Rwanda announced a revision of the COVID-19 restrictions issued on Monday 21st June 2021. These new measures will take effect starting Thursday 1st July and will be reviewed after two weeks upon a health assessment.  

Below are the updated government measures.  

• The country will observe curfew time from 6:00 pm to 04:00 am, and businesses will close by 5:00 pm. People are encouraged to limit unnecessary movements. 
• Arriving passengers at the airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. 

• Public transport will continue to operate at 50% capacity with strict adherence to the health guidelines (social distancing and mask-wearing). Motos and bicycles will continue to work with strict compliance with the health guidelines (disinfecting passenger’s helmets). 
• Private business will continue with essential staff not exceeding 50% capacity. 
• Schools and higher institutions of learning are closed.  
• Malls and markets will continue to operate with only essential vendors not exceeding 50% capacity of registered traders.  
• Tourism will continue with strict adherence to health guidelines. 

• Individual and non-contact sports activities will continue with strict adherence to health guidelines. Gyms are closed. 

• Movements between Kigali and other provinces and movements between districts nationwide are prohibited except for medical services and transportation of goods. 
• Private and public offices are closed for staff except for those providing essential services. 
• All meetings and social gatherings are prohibited. Restaurants will only provide offer delivery services. 

• Movements between districts nationwide are prohibited except for medical services and transportation of goods. 
• Physical meetings will continue but not exceeding 30% of venue capacity. Participants will be required to present negative COVID-19 results taken within 72 hours.  
• Public offices will continue to operate but not exceeding 15% capacity of all employees. Other staff will continue working from home on a rotational basis.  
• Restaurants will continue to operate not exceeding 30% of venue capacity closing by 5 pm. 

Saturday 12th June 2021 Update

In light of the uptick in cases of COVID-19 in the country, on Monday 21^st June 2021, the government of Rwanda announced a revision of the COVID-19 restrictions issued on 12^th June 2021. These new measures will take effect starting Wednesday 23^rd June and will be reviewed after 2 weeks upon a health assessment.

We know that it is a tough time for many and particularly for entrepreneurs as you strive to protect both your families and businesses. We are here to help with a summary of the updated measures and some things to keep in mind as a business owner operating during this time.

• Movements between Kigali and other provinces and movements between districts nationwide are prohibited except for medical services and transportation of goods.
• The country will observe curfew time from 7:00 pm to 04:00 am, and businesses will close by 6:00 pm.
• Arriving passengers at the airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
• Public transport will continue to operate at 50% capacity with strict adherence to the health guidelines (social distancing and mask-wearing).
• Motos and bicycles will continue to operate with strict compliance with the health guidelines (disinfecting passenger’s helmets).
• Physical meetings will continue at 30% of venue capacity, and all participants must possess negative PCR tests.
• All social gatherings, both private and public, are prohibited.
• Private business will continue with essential staff not exceeding 50% capacity.
• Malls and markets will continue to operate with only essential vendors not exceeding 50% capacity of registered traders.
• Restaurants will continue to operate at 30% of venue capacity closing by 6 pm. For some designated restaurants, customers must present negative COVID-19 results.
• Tourism will continue with strict adherence to health guidelines.

• If your business is permitted to continue operations during this time, ensure that you have implemented all safety protocols to keep your clients and employees safe.
• Brief all employees in advance where possible on operational changes you plan to make that could affect their work schedules or responsibilities. Allow employees to work remotely where possible.
• Reach out to clients proactively about changes in product or service delivery, operating hours, or protocols when visiting your business.