Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced on Thursday that restrictions on bar and entertainment venue trading hours would be relaxed for the festive season.
The new published guidelines, released yesterday evening, will come into effect Friday, December 15 through January 7, 2024.
According to an RDB statement, the hospitality establishments, including hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, will be allowed to operate until 2a.m on Mondays through Thursday, and to remain open throughout Fridays, weekends and on public holidays.
Since September, authorities in Rwanda unveiled new measures to curb public disturbances. All “non-essential services” have had shorter opening hours.
In addition to order bars closed and confiscating equipment from entertainment venues, the restrictions have proven unpopular with hotel, restaurant, and nightclub owners.
Between December 15 and January 7, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said opening hours would be extended until 2:00 am on working days and all-hours on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays.
“The end-of-year festive season has begun, and the government of Rwanda wants people to celebrate and enjoy,” the board said in a statement, adding that all establishments must still comply with rules around noise pollution.”
