Coronavirus: Kigali reopens two major markets

03 Septembre 2020

Kigali, Rwanda, September 3 (Infosplusgabon) - Two major markets which were temporarily closed last month due to a surge of  COVID-19 cases in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, reopened on Thursday under strict preventive measures against the disease.

Kigali municipality authorities blamed surroundings of the two markets blamed for a recent spike in new cases of the coronavirus.

The government has since moved to contain the spread of the virus after registering 253 cases in three days.

Clients and traders must have their body temperature checked, wash their hands and keep distance when entering the market and during their activities.

People have been urged to use digital payments and failure to comply with the requirement is punishable with fines, accofrding to new directives of municipal  authorities.

Rwandan health authorities on Wednesday announced one death due to coronavirus,  bringing the death toll to 17.

With 76 new infections, the case count in the country has risen to 4,218, the Ministry of Health said in its latest update.

The government announced the start of a “second wave” of infections a fortnight ago after new clusters of coronavirus cases were detected following the easing of restrictions in May.

In line with the new lockdown measures, the number of people working in both public and private institutions at any given time has been reduced to 30 per cent from 50 per cent.

Rwanda's land borders are closed while movements across the country are prohibited from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time  in line with a curfew imposed to limit the spread of the disease.

The government reopened airports for commercial flights since 1 August.

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