Rwanda National Police

Residents of Rwanda are urged to continue observing the COVID-19 prevention measures for their safety and to held the government to effectively curb the spread of the virus. 

The Cabinet meeting held on February 2, extended the existing prevention measures across the country, including the current lockdown in City of Kigali until February 7.

The Cabinet further outlined other directives that will take effect from February 8-22.

Kigali

Movements will be prohibited between 7pm-4am (countrywide), public offices will be closed with all employees working from home, except those providing essential services; private businesses will resume with essential staff at no more than 30% capacity while markets and malls will open for essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders.

All businesses permitted to resume on February 8, will be closing at 5pm.

Other restrictions include prohibited movements between Kigali and provinces as well as beyond districts, public transport will resume but operating at 50% of the vehicle capacity, bus operators are tasked to ensure social distancing with only passengers wearing masks allowed onboard.

Motos and bicycles will also resume operations but must observe strict hygiene.

Physical meetings, social gatherings, gyms, gaming, places of worship, bars, wedding ceremonies and receptions will remain closed countrywide.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije, while elaborating on the new directives, said that the lockdown in Kigali created impact in terms of containing the spread of COVID-19.

Before the lockdown, he said, the number of infections in Kigali were way high compared to other provinces, but added that there is still more to be done to reach the intended results, which forced the government to extent the existing prevention measures.

"Since last week, we are seeing a decline in the number of new positive cases in Kigali compared to other provinces. We are now seeing an increase in recoveries compared to new cases, especially in the last three days," Dr. Ngamije said.

On Tuesday, 229 new cases and 473 recoveries were registered.

On Monday, 185 people recovered while 155 new cases were registered on the same day.

The previous day on January 31, 186 new cases and 283 recoveries were recorded.

"A test assesment carried out in the past two weekends in Kigali showed that COVID-19 cases are almost in all cells, except the cells in the remote part of Gasabo District. Infections were also high among the elderly people and those with other health condictions.

About 5% of the people we tested were positive, some of them did not have symptoms," Minister Ngamije said.

He clarified that the lockdown is one of the impactful measures preventing further spread of the virus and containing it from homes in communities.

"If you are to measure the impact of the lockdown over the past two weeks, one can say that we have achieved about 7 out of 10 in terms of containing the spread and tracking positive cases. 

This third week of the lockdown is meant to further contain the spread, which was very high. We urge residents of Kigali to exercise patience and be responsive as we continue to face this pandemic head-on for everyone's safety," Dr. Ngamije said.

The Minister of Local Government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka

The Minister of Local Government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka observed that although the lockdown seems "sour" to some people, it is the only remedy at the moment.

"Let us comply and exercise patience to achieve the remaining 30 to 40 percent in this third week. The lockdown is not sweet; it is a bitter and we know it but it is one of the remedies to save lives at our disposal at the moment," Minister Shyaka said.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that no one should be forced to comply with the national prevention guidelines.

He added that RNP will continue to give movement clearence permit to those going for essential or emergency services but warned those using the movement permit to indulge in prohibited activities.

Rwanda National Police spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera

"The movement clearance permit is issued for clear and known reasons but if you applied for it, you are not allowed to leave your home until you are cleared. There are others who use the movement clearance to engage in prohibited practices and those who share clearance messages in an attempt to violate the directives; we are aware of all these malpractices," CP Kabera said.

He further cautioned those who flout the guidelines on sports and physical activities.

Instructions by the Ministry of Sports permitted individual sports outside homes from 5am to 9am, but strictly within the limits of their respective villages of residence and in compliance with the COVID-19 prevention measures

Group physical exercises are prohibited.

Over the past two weeks, 11630 pedestrians were arrested across the country for violating varied directives. At least 2066 were caught selling and drinking alcoholic beverages in bars and in homes where people had organised prohibited social events.

A total of  2218 vehicles, 912 motos and 612 bicycles were also impounded in the same period.