COVID-19 Information
Last updated: 11/08/21
*** Effective November 8, 2021, all non-immigrant, non-U.S. citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.
U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test one (1) day before their flight. U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test three (3) days before their flight.
Exemptions will be considered on an extremely limited basis. Please contact your nearest embassy or consulate to apply for an exemption. Please visit the CDC webpages for more information about exemptions and the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.
Country-Specific Information:
- The situation in Burundi regarding COVID-19 has remained relatively stable throughout the pandemic compared to other countries in the region. Measures such as social distancing and masks are encouraged, but not enforced by law and not often followed. There has been no national lockdown, and it has been business as normal in many areas of society. For example, soccer matches have continued, as have large-scale group exercises, parties, weddings, and other activities. Public schools have remained open as well. Melchior Ndadaye International Airport reopened on November 8, 2020.
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Burundi? Yes.
- The cost of the test is 60,000 Burundian Francs and it is available at the INSP (Institut National de Santé Publique). There is no cost for a test carried out while in country in case of suspected COVID-19 infection.
- If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes.
- Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be requested to quarantine at home after obtaining a treatment kit from one of the designated test centers provided by the Ministry of Health
- According to the government of Burundi, PCR test results are generally delivered within 24hours via email.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of Burundi approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
- Are vaccines available in Burundi for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes.
- If you wish to be vaccinated, follow this link to secure an appointment
- Which vaccines are available in Burundi? Sinopharm
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
- The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
- The test must be done within 72 hours of boarding a plane to Bujumbura.
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- All travelers must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. The cost is $100.
- Visas can be renewed at the Bureau des Migrations, which is the Burundi immigration office.
- Travelers are also required to have a negative PCR test to depart the country.
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? No
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes.
- Starting November 1st, 2021, every traveler within the country will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test valid for one month at designated control points.
Quarantine Information:
Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?
- Every traveler arriving in Burundi will no longer be required to undergo a mandatory three-day quarantine. Instead, travelers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and must then confine themselves at home or at a hotel of their choice while awaiting the test results, which they will receive within 24 hours of testing. Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be requested to quarantine at home after obtaining a treatment kit from one of the designated test centers provided by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, land borders between Burundi and Tanzania were reopened as of June 14, 2021, and passengers arriving by land will be tested in the same way as those arriving by air.
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Masks are required for patrons and providers of public transport. However, this requirement is rarely enforced in practice.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
- There is no legal obligation to wear a mask, but prevention measures are officially encouraged. The Burundi Ministry of Health did, however, issue a communiqué on January 8, 2021, stating that violators of the quarantine or other measures taken to stop the spread of the virus will be punished in accordance with the law.
Consular Operations:
- The consular section is processing American Citizen services by appointment only. Please follow this link to learn more about the different services. Visa interviews are also available by appointment.
Local Resources:
- More information can be found on the Burundi Ministry of Health website and https://cousp-minisante.gov.bi/
- On April 1, 2020, the Ministry of Public Health published a press release calling on the public to follow preventative measures. The Ministry recommends self-quarantine if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, but you have yet to show any symptoms. Should symptoms appear, please call the toll-free number 117 or consult the nearest health facility.
Other Links:
- COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- Burundi Country Information and Travel Advisory
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, Burundi
+257 22 20 70 00
BujumburaC@state.gov - If you are a U.S. citizen or national traveling abroad who would like to receive important information from the embassy about safety conditions in Burundi to help you make informed decisions about your travel plans, to help U.S. Embassy Bujumbura contact you in an emergency, and to help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency, please enroll in Check the Alerts and Messages for U.S. Citizens portion of our webpage for past communications from STEP.