No PCR tests for vaccinated travelers to Uganda
Effective Wednesday 27th April, 2022; there are No more PCR tests for vaccinated travelers arriving or leaving Uganda.
This comes a few weeks after the Uganda-Rwanda border was officially opened to allow cross border safaris from Uganda to Rwanda.
Uganda is strategically located in the middle of 6 East African community countries thus convenient travel requirements to Uganda are very beneficial to travellers to East Africa.
The Uganda government Minister for Health press statement on the 27th April, 2022 issued amended travel restrictions to Uganda as follows;
- The requirement for negative PCR test done within 72 hours pre-boarding for all incoming travelers has been suspended with immediate effect for travellers who are fully vaccinated.
- Requirement for negative PCR test done within 72 hours pre-boarding for all outbound travelers is suspended with immediate effect for those who are fully vaccinated except where it is a requirement of the destination country or the carrier airline
- All in-bound and outbound travelers will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, except for travelers aged 5 years and below
- Travellers with partial or no vaccination will still be required to present a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of travel.
- Travellers below 5 years are not required to present a negative PCR test upon arrival or departure
About this time 2 years ago, Uganda was in total lockdown where entry required mandatory PCR tests on arrival however; now the new year 2022 seems to be getting better with barely 4 months gone.
The lifting of the mandatory PCR test requirement not only saves you time and money but also gives you the convenience and flexibility to book your Uganda safari and that adventure you had always wanted to enjoy.
To many, the uncertainty surrounding lab tests and the tense atmosphere regarding such situations in a foreign country caused travellers to keep rescheduling or even cancelling their travel plans.
The announcement of No PCR tests for vaccinated travelers to Uganda has come in handy to relieve travel enthusiasts who have for long had Uganda on their bucket list.
The ministry of health of Uganda promises to ensure continued COVID-19 surveillance among travelers to and from Uganda. The ministry shall continuously undertake random sampling for COVID-19 testing at scheduled intervals. Schedules are to be shared in the due course.
Despite Uganda currently having a vaccination coverage for 18 years and above at 48%, the country has had a huge success in combating COVID-19 spread with only 2 (two) active admitted cases reported as on 27th April, 2022.
Uganda also boasts of a low COVID 19 transmission level with the positivity rate at just less than 2% since February 2022.
Further adjustments to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Uganda include:-
- Fully vaccinated individuals will NOLONGER be required to wear face masks when they are outdoors provided they are not in crowds.
- Face masks are still required when one is indoors or in closed spaces such as public transport, shops, schools, offices, etc where a 2 meter social distance cannot be observed between individuals.
- The vulnerable or high-risk age group individuals such as the elderly aged 50 years and above, people living with two or more diseases simultaneously, etc are still required to wear face masks fully irrespective of their vaccination status.
Uganda is an experienced country dealing with tropical disease and epidemics which guarantees you safety as you visit Uganda.
Uganda had long been one of the destinations worldwide with strict COVID 19 travel restrictions since announcing of there first lockdown in March 2020.
It’s now time to fulfill your dream Uganda safari or Rwenzori mountaineering adventure to Uganda with flexibility and comfort.