For anyone wishing to access 15 high-end hotels and restaurants in Kigali they now require a negative Covid-19 test. The development was announced Wednesday evening by Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Any client visiting the selected hospitality establishments will need to have tested negative for the virus in not more than seven days. Clients can also take on-site testing at the hotels and restaurants in question. The on-site testing service is supported by accredited private clinics, according to RDB. The selected hotels are; Kigali Marriott, Kigali Serena, Radisson Blu, and Kigali Convention Centre, and The Retreat. The restaurants in question include Choose Kigali, Meza Malonga, Brachetto, Soy, Nyurah, Inka Steak House, The Hut, Epicurien, Poivre Noir, Repub Lounge, and Kurry Kingdom. The New Times’ Alice Kagina spoke to the Head of Tourism Regulation at RDB, Emmanuel Nsabimana (pictured), who shed more light about the new guidelines and what it means for the hospitality sector: Below are excerpts: What was the rationale for selecting the 15 hotels and restaurants? This is a pilot approach that was adopted and initiated in high-end hotels and restaurants which have the capacity and expertise to quickly implement these measures. However, this selection does not imply that the establishments are unsafe. Is there a plan to extend these guidelines to all the hospitality facilities? That is our ultimate target, the list will be reviewed periodically. But the degree of vigilance in non-piloted hotels and restaurants across the country, not only in Kigali, will remain high too. There will be on-site random daily testing on staff and clients, hence making necessary adjustments. What does this mean to the sector in general? This will create a safer environment by controlling the pandemic and therefore build customer confidence. How does this affect the tourism and hospitality industry? It is a new normal and people have to adapt to new ways of living during this pandemic, especially frequent testing and observing other Covid-19 preventive measures. These guidelines promote tourism by ensuring a safe zone for visitors. Is this something that could end up being introduced in other related sectors as well? By now, we are closely monitoring the hospitality and tourism industry. However, health officials may provide further guidance to (deploy) similar measures to other sectors.
