Rwanda has announced new COVID-19 restrictions in order to curb further spread of the coronavirus following a rise in positive cases in the country.
According to a statement from the country’s Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, Cabinet sat on Monday January 4th to discuss the rising cases
of COVID-19 infections agreed to put introduce new measures that will take effect starting Tuesday, January 5th, 2020.
“Movements are prohibited from 8pm to 4am. All business establishments including restaurants, shops, markets and malls will close daily by 6PM. Public and private transport is prohibited to and from city of Kigali as well as between different districts. Travel will only be permitted for medical reasons and essential services”
According to the new directives, all social gatherings and events including religious, wedding ceremonies, receptions, meetings and conferences are prohibited.
Public gyms and swimming pools shall be restricted from the public with an exception of tested guests staying at hotels, the statement reads. Attendance at a vigil should also not exceed 15 people at any given time.
Funeral gatherings should not exceed 30 persons.
Additionally, cabinet resolved that vehicles transporting goods will continue to function with not more than two people on board.
Domestic and International tourists however may travel across districts but must possess negative COVID-19 results. Institutions both public and private will operate at not more than 30% capacity of staff while other employees will continue to work from home.
According to Dr Ngirente, all these restrictions that were announced will be reviewed after 15 days upon a health assessment.
Rwanda by Monday, had recorded 8,848 positive COVID-19 cases with 105 COVID-19 related deaths and 6,816 recoveries
