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Rwanda National Police

Service - Protection - Integrity

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COVID-19: 59 caught in bar during prohibited hours

Fifty-nine people were arrested Sunday night at Bonk Bar and Restaurant located at Kinamba in Inkingi Village, Kamutwa Cell, Kacyiru Sector of Gasabo District where they were found drinking and dancing.

Police found the group past 11pm, during hours when bars and restaurants are supposed to be closed and everyone expected to be at home.

The bar and restaurant had been turned into a club with customers drinking and dancing.



Bonk bar and restaurant belongs to one Jean Marie Vianney Twiringiyimana, who escaped during the operation.

"Police was called in at about 11:10 pm to break the violations and noise at the bar where many people were converged, drinking. When Police officers arrived at the bar, the whole place had been turned into night club and people were also dancing," RNP Deputy spokesperson, CSP Africa Sendahangarwa Apollo, said.

Immaculee Musabyimana, one of the arrested violators said that they were found at the bar at about 11:30pm.

?It was during curfew hours and what we did was inappropriate and in violation of the government directives against the spread of Covid-19, and ask for forgiveness," said Musabyimana

Immaculee Musabyimana admitted that they were found at the bar at about 11:30pm

According to the executive secretary for Kacyiru sector, Gertrude Urujeni, the bar had not been granted permission to reopen.

"The bar was not authorized to operate because we did not give them permission. There are specified penalties for such violations including closing the hospitality establishment and fines," said Urujeni.

She warned against those operating bars without authorization adding that there is a committee in charge of inspecting bars to see if they are authorized to operate or complying with the directives.

CSP Africa also said that Police will continue to enforce the directives and warned hospitality establishments against disregarding the guidelines.