Coronavirus: Rwanda announces new measures relaxing lockdown

01 Mai 2020

Kigali, Rwanda, May 1 (Infosplusgabon) - Rwanda's Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Thursday announced new steps to relax the COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown measures as a first step for " transition to normality", which is due to be effective on 4 May.

Rwanda's confinement was initially announced on 21 March after the country recorded its first confirmed COVID-19 case.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office in Kigali said that all services that are allowed to resume work will be required to comply with all COVID-19 prevention measures as per health care professionals' advice.

These instructions include washing of hands often and properly and using personal protective equipment such as face masks in all public places, the statement said.

As the country starts lifting the lockdown measures to avoid some economic consequences, various services in the public and private sectors have been allowed to resume their activities but people should only travel for "essential" work if they can't work from home.

In addition, major companies would be expected to introduce shift working to ensure physical distancing, according to the new official instructions.

Most hotels and restaurants will be allowed to open for limited hours but bars will remain closed and all means of transport including individual vehicles or public buses and motorbikes are not allowed especially in Kigali city.

Travels between different upcountry provinces are allowed for all transport means, the statement signed by the Prime, minister Edouard Ngirente, said.

Religious services and all gatherings are not permitted until further notice. All school activities will remain closed until September, it said.

Rwanda has spent the last 40 days in strict lockdown with only a limited number of people authorised to leave home to buy food, drugs or any other important service such as banks.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/MPO/GABON2020

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