Cabinet this Wednesday in an extraordinary meeting extended nationwide lockdown for two more weeks until April 19. This is in bid to further contain the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, reveals a statement signed by the prime minister.
The meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame via video conference stated that, unnecessary movements and visits outside the home are not permitted, except for essential services such as healthcare, food shopping, or banking, and for the personnel performing such services.
The statement underlined that farming will continue in preparation for the ongoing agricultural season B while observing guidelines from health authorities. Places of worship were instructed to remain closed while schools were encouraged to utilize the use technology.
Workers both public and private are to continue working from home except for those providing essential services.
Moto cycles are allowed to offer delivery services but not permitted to carry passengers.
The country’s borders are to remain closed, except for goods and cargo, as well as returning Rwandan citizens and legal residents who will be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travel between different cities and districts are still closed except for medical reasons or essential services like transport of food and essential goods.
Shops and markets selling food, medicine (pharmacies), hygiene and cleaning products, fuel, and other essential items will continue to offer services but bars remain closed while restaurants and cafés are allowed to offer take-away services.
Electronic payments and online banking services are encouraged to be used whenever possible.
The cabinet resolutions came as the Ministry of Health had earlier announced that the number of confirmed cases had risen to 82 following seven more people were diagnosed with the disease.
Coronavirus cases have slowly increased since it was first diagnosed in Rwanda on 13 March 2020, the country tops confirmed cases in the East African region followed closely by Kenya with 81 cases, Uganda 44, Tanzania 19, Burundi two while South Sudan hasn’t officially confirmed any case.
Globally, the number of cases now stands at 932,605, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
