As of Thursday, 5 December 2024, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stopped re-routing air passengers from Rwanda via New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare or Washington Dulles Airports for public health screening on arrival into the United States following the recent Marburg Virus outbreak.
This comes after the CDC’s decision on Friday, November 22, 2024, to reduce their Travel Health Advisory for Rwanda from Level 3 back down to Level 2.
On Saturday, 9 November 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the last patient in Rwanda was discharged from hospital on 8 November 2024, kicking off the mandatory 42-day countdown to officially declare the outbreak as over. Rwanda has reported no new Marburg cases since 30 October 2024.
“The USA relaxing their travel and health advisories for Rwanda are welcome news”, comments Kristin McGee from Travulous. “Travellers are still recommended to visit their local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks for all destinations visited on their holiday”.
During this period, Rwanda has remained open to travellers with no travel restrictions in place. All national parks and activities have remained open and operating, as usual.
The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has published an updated Info Note for Passengers which includes the latest arrival and departure information for Rwanda in terms of Marburg, Yellow Fever and Covid.
Agents and Operators requiring further information on the latest travel protocols for Rwanda, please contact Kristin at Travulous for assistance.
Image credit: iStock.com/PeterHermesFurian
