Covid-19: Rwandan capital back to lockdown

Rwandan cabinet on Monday reimposed a lockdown in its capital city of Kigali following a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The lockdown, which became effective immediately and will be reviewed after 15 days, barred unnecessary movements in the city.

A cabinet communiqué released after a virtual meeting recognized a recent “unprecedented rise in cases, deaths and transmission rates in the community,” and called on Rwandans to observe all health guidelines to slow the spread of the virus.

The cabinet also urged Kigali citizens to significantly reduce social interactions and limit movements only to essential activities. Travels between Kigali and other places are banned, while public transport in the city is also suspended.

The lockdown measures also include the closure of businesses and work from home order, but essential services are excluded from the restriction.

Meanwhile, tourism activities will continue in strict adherence with Covid-19 health guidelines, and tourists are permitted to leave the capital city, said the communiqué.

The cabinet also allowed farming for the current agricultural season and funeral gatherings with no more than 15 persons.

The communiqué noted that the country’s aviation hub Kigali International Airport will remain open.

The central African nation on Monday reported 227 new cases in the past 24 hours, including 139 in Kigali.

The rise took the national tally to 11,259, with 7,412 recoveries and 146 deaths.

Olajumoke Adeleke