Africa-Press – Uganda. COVID-19| HEALTH
Rwanda Government on Monday announced new COVID-19 restrictions aimed at curbing further spread of the Covid-19 virus following the increase in cases.
By Tuesday, Rwanda had recorded 9,020 cases, with 6,880 recoveries and 109 deaths.
The country’s Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente in a communique dated Monday, January 4, noted that cabinet had sat on the same day to discuss the rise in COVID-19 cases and agreed to put in place new measures that will take effect starting Tuesday, January 5, 2020.
As part of the new measures, Dr. Ngirente announced that movements were prohibited from 8:00 pm to 4: 00 am and also banned public and private transport to and from the city of Kigali
“All business establishments including restaurants, shops, markets and malls will close daily by 6:00 pm. Public and private transport is prohibited to and from the city of Kigali as well as between different districts. Travel will only be permitted for medical reasons and essential services. Additionally, vehicles transporting goods will continue to function with not more than two people on board,” the Prime Minister announced.
All social gatherings and events including religious, wedding ceremonies, receptions, meetings and conferences were prohibited. Public gyms and swimming pools were restricted from the public with an exception of tested guests staying at hotels.
All Domestic and International tourists may travel across districts but must possess negative COVID-19 results.
Institutions (public and private) will operate at not more than 30% capacity of staff. Other employees will continue to work from home at a rotational basis.
Attendance at a vigil should not exceed 15 people at any given time.
Funeral gatherings should not exceed 30 persons.
Dr. Ngirente noted that all these restrictions that were announced will be reviewed after 15 days upon a health assessment.
On Tuesday the UK also imposed restriction with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning the coming weeks would be the “hardest yet” amid surging cases and patient numbers. UK residents were urged to stay at home except for permitted reasons during a new coronavirus lockdown expected to last until mid-February.
All schools and colleges were closed to most pupils and a switch to remote learning from Tuesday was ordered.
