Rwanda resorts to 10-day lockdown amid Covid-19 surge
Rwanda has announced a 10-day lockdown in its capital city of Kigali and eight other districts as Covid-19 cases and deaths spike and new variants of the virus emerge.
CAPE TOWN, July 15 (ANA) – Rwanda has announced a 10-day lockdown in its capital city of Kigali and eight other districts as Covid-19 cases and deaths spike and new variants of the virus emerge.
On Wednesday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame chaired a virtual cabinet meeting where revised Covid-19 mitigation measures to be implemented from July 17 to July 26, according to a statement from Rwanda’s Office of the Prime Minister.
Kigali, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana and Rutsiro are the areas affected by the 10-day lockdown.
Residents of these areas are only permitted to leave their homes for health care, food shopping and banking. Personnel who are involved in the stipulated essential services may travel freely.
Recreational activities have been prohibited, along with all public transport, with the exception of delivery services and transportation of essential service personnel.
Businesses in Rwanda’s nine areas are also closed except for essential services. These may operate at 30% capacity and close at 5pm.
Furthermore, all learning institutions will be closed. However, farming activity will continue, as well as tourism, as long as strict Covid-19 health guidelines are followed.
For the rest of Rwanda, a curfew of 6pm till 4am will be implemented. All social gatherings irrespective of the public and private setting are prohibited, which includes weddings.
Public offices may continue at no more than 15% capacity, and private businesses at 50% capacity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that Rwanda is dealing with its largest surge of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began.
The country’s ministry of health has recorded a cumulative total of 50,742 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 607 related deaths as of July 14.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
