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2 of 2An artist puts stickers on seats so that passengers observe physical distancing in public transport buses in Kigali. / Photo: Dan Nsengiyumva.
The cabinet on Monday, December 14, issued fresh and strict guidelines to slow the spread of new Covid-19 infections.
Over the last couple of days, Rwanda has registered new infections north of 100 – a figure that was last recorded in mid-August.
The new set of guidelines will be reviewed after three weeks, tentatively in the first week of January 2021.
But here are the 10 new guidelines;
1. No weddings
With immediate effect, the cabinet resolved that weddings and all other social gatherings are halted in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Prior to the announcement, 75 persons were allowed for church wedding ceremonies. No Covid-19 tests were required for any wedding reception with less than 75 people. The new decision, according to Dr Daniel Ngamije, the Minister for Health, follows recent cases of wedding ceremonies failing to comply with the Covid-19 protocols.
2. Curfew
Curfew hours have been extended closer by an hour starting from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am. Previously, human movements were prohibited from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am. The cabinet also resolved that starting December 22, movements will be prohibited from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am. This, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, is part of the measures to strengthen the fight against Covid-19 especially with the upcoming festive season.
Ngamije explained that the decision to revise curfew hours was motivated by the public’s continued disregard for Covid-19 protocols, especially those who run restaurants during day time but turn them into full-fledged bars at night.
3. Tighter measures in Musanze
Located in the Northern Province, Musanze District has over the past two weeks registered a total of 99 Covid-19 cases, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In addition, Minister Ngamije said that the decision to give Musanze District different guidelines was based on random tests that were carried out among 100 people. 13 of these were found positive.
“We also had to change strategy in Musanze after medics were also found infected,” he added. Owing to the district’s Covid-19 situation, Musanze residents will face exclusive guidelines that are normally taken when a specific area is found to be a hotspot of Covid-19. The measures, among others include, prohibiting movements from 7 pm to 4 am.
4. Gyms and pools halted
With less than two weeks after resuming operations, gyms and swimming pools have had to close down. The activities were halted for more than eight months to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. However, two weeks ago, they were given a green light to resume operations on condition of adherence to the Covid-19 measures. Particularly, for swimming pools the guidelines to resume stipulated that attendants who are not in water must wear their respective face masks and only remove them when entering the water. Similarly, gyms were requested to allow a minimum 1-hour window for deep cleaning and aeration of the facility between every practice session.
5. Public transport back to 50% of maximum capacity
The cabinet resolved that transporters will now carry 50 per cent of the passenger capacity, as opposed to the previous maximum capacity. The move will among others allow passengers to socially distance amongst themselves. Transporters say that one of the reasons which have led to failure of Covid-19 protocols is the fact that peak hours are normally busy for them.
6. Private parties banned
With the festive season around the corner, the public has been called upon end to private parties. The Government also announced that law enforcement organs including local leaders should be involved to ensure that this is not violated.
7. Mandatory testing for Conferences and meetings
Event organisers have also been asked to accommodate only participants with a Covid-19 test certificate. In the past, major event organisers tested their participants. The directive was not compulsory. However, the cabinet meeting resolved that all participants, attending conferences and meetings will have to test for Covid-19.
8. Tougher penalties
Failure to comply with the new guidelines, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has said that individuals risk tougher penalties including fines. RNP Spokesperson Kabera said in an earlier interview that people should expect no leniency.
People caught violating Covid-19 are normally fined and also subjected to mandatory stadium lecturers.
9. Reduced capacity for office
Private and public institutions are allowed to accommodate 30 per cent of employees, while the rest will work from home. The move comes at a time people had started getting back to the spirit of working from the office.
Following the development, offices will have to reorganise in terms of equipping employees with basic needs to work from home.
10. Places of worship
All places of worship shall accommodate 30 per cent of their capacity and hold not more than one service a week. This is particularly significant considering that we are approaching Christmas and New Year’s holidays when many people tend to go to places of worship more often than usual.
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