During Sunday service broadcast on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) channels on March 22nd, 2020, Kambanda reminded Christians to show empathy and love towards poor and sick people during coronavirus outbreak and to abide by the government’s preventive measures to counter further spread of the virus.
The government of Rwanda has adopted new preventive measures against coronavirus by imposing a complete air travel ban and imposing a quarantine policy to all Rwandan citizens.
Following mandatory quarantine, Rwandans have voiced out concerns about people who survive on daily income. Mgr. Kambanda urged Christians to have a generous heart and give out to those who are confined in their homes and cannot provide for their families.
On March 14th, 2020, patient zero was identified in Rwanda and the number has since grown to 19. The Ministry of Health has prohibited all public gatherings including church gatherings and other social events to intercept and stop the spread of coronavirus.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera has said that the force is working with all relevant institutions to ensure that these measures are implemented and respected.
Under the directives issued by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dr. Edouard Ngirente, all unnecessary journeys and movements out of homes, and travel between different cities and districts of the country, is not permitted.
All borders and bars are closed. Shops and markets are also closed, except those selling food, medicine (pharmacies), hygiene and cleaning products, fuel and other essential items.
Motorcycles are not permitted to carry passengers. The orders will last for two weeks, but could be extended depending on the situation.
“We urge the public to comply with these instructions, which were adapted to protect and save lives from this pandemic. Remember, protecting yourself and others is your responsibility,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Police officers across the country are working with other security organs, local authorities and other relevant institutions to ensure that no one violates all the issued directives, including traders who inflate prices, worship and prayer activities including in homes and caves.”
CP Kabera called for continued cooperation and information sharing on people, who violate these safety orders.
“Violating these directives designed to prevent the spread of Coronavirus is punishable by law,” he warned.
CP Kabera further disclosed that in accordance with these government instructions, all RNP services related to driver’s license and motor-vehicle inspection were also suspended for two weeks.
For more information related to the suspended traffic services, the public is urged to call the following contacts:
Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety: 0788311110
Commanding Officer MIC: 0788311512
The virus is transmitted through droplets, or little bits of liquid, mostly through sneezing or coughing, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, told reporters during a virtual news conference on Monday.
“When you do an aerosol-generating procedure like in a medical care facility, you have the possibility to what we call aerosolize these particles, which means they can stay in the air a little bit longer.”
She added: “It’s very important that health-care workers take additional precautions when they’re working on patients and doing those procedures.”
World health officials say the respiratory disease spreads through human-to-human contact, droplets carried through sneezing and coughing as well as germs left on inanimate objects. The coronavirus can go airborne, staying suspended in the air depending on factors such as heat and humidity, they said.
Kerkhove said health officials are aware of several studies in a number of countries looking at the different environmental conditions that COVID-19 can persist. Scientists are specifically looking at how humidity, temperature and ultraviolet lighting affects the disease as well as how long it lives on different surfaces, including steel, she said.
Health officials use the information to make sure WHO’s guidance is appropriate, and “so far … we are confident that the guidance that we have is appropriate,” she added.
Health officials recommend medical staff wear so-called N95 masks because they filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles.
“In health-care facilities, we make sure health-care workers use standard droplet precautions with the exception … that they’re doing an aerosol-generating procedure,” she said.
The official gazette published on March 19th, 2020 shows a prime minister’s order outlining the 15 misdeeds approved during a cabinet meeting held on January 28th, 2020.
They include:
-* Theft;
-* Embezzlement;
-* Fighting at the workplace,
-* Consuming alcoholic drinks at work;
-* Signing in to work drunk or under the influence;
-* Falsifying documents;
-* Discriminatory attitude;
-* Corruption and Sexual harassment.
Others are; Violating a non-disclosure agreement; Attitude that is detrimental to colleagues; Sexual abuse; Gross misconduct and Damaging the compan2y’s property.
The Prime Minister’s order states that any of the listed misdeeds can lead to contract termination with no prior notice.
However, depending on the structure of a company, an employer can add other occupational misdeeds to the list with the authorization of the Minister of Public Service and Labor.
The 15 intolerable mistakes are part of all institutions’ regulations and are informed to employees before implementation.
MIFOTRA has also ruled that every institution in Rwanda with more than 10 employees should have an employee representative elected for a 3-year renewable term. The size of the company notwithstanding, the number of employees representatives cannot exceed 10.
Employees who have not been in an institution for at least a year cannot be elected as representatives. In addition, the employer’s spouse, child, parents or siblings cannot be elected as representatives.
Members of an institution’s executive board, human resources managers or any other employee with a managerial position can also not be elected as representatives.
This comes after four people were arrested on Thursday in Gitega Sector, Nyarugenge District where they were vending meat.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the Central region, identified the suspects as Tabu Uwimana, 35, Epiphanie Nyirandikubwimana, 32, Francine Kayitesi, 33, and Shakila Uwineza, 33.
They were apprehended by members of night patrol commonly known as ‘Irondo ry’Umwuga.’
“They were found selling meat on streets. They get leftover meat from abattoirs in Nyabugogo, which they sell on streets. This is against the law on meat standards. This meat sold or bought on streets could be contaminated and toxic for consumption,” CIP Umutesi said.
Besides selling the meat illegally, they were transporting and vending them in buckets, which is contrary to the law.
CIP Umutesi urged all meat dealers to comply with set hygiene requirements to ensure safety of consumers as it involves people lives.
“Anyone in the meat value chain must comply with hygiene requirements to make profits without compromising consumers’ lives. Standards are clear on requirements for meat transport, trade and preservation to ensure the safety of consumers,” CIP Umutesi said.
The Ministerial Order n°013/11.30 of 18/11/2010 on transport and trade of meat, particularly article 2 stipulates that “…the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside. The meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain mud, dust, and flies.”
Article 3 of the same order states that the motor-vehicle transportation of fresh, chilled or frozen, non-packed meat shall use closed vans, separate from the driver, internally covered with galvanized brass or any other stainless material.
New preventive measures include temporary closure of borders for two weeks, except for goods and cargo as well as returning Rwandan citizens and legal residents.
Dr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Rwandan citizens who wish to return home will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated locations.
Travel between different districts and cities of the country are not permitted except for medical purposes or essential services. Transport for food and other essentials will continue to function as usual.
Biruta said that closing borders and limiting movements of people will prevent future spread of coronavirus.
“Limiting movements of people is important in the fight against coronavirus as it will prevent it from spreading to districts outside of Kigali.”
He noted that if more cases of COVID-19 are identified, there is a risk it will put unbearable pressure on the country’s health system and leave some patients unattended to.
Decisions to close borders and limit movements between districts were taken after most of the cases of COVID-19 were identified in Kigali.
Currently, 17 people tested positive for coronavirus in Rwanda while 600 are suspected to have it and have been put in quarantine while further tests are being conducted.
In an announcement which was published on March 20th, 2020 from RDB says the suspension starts today.
“Starting tomorrow, Saturday 21st March 2020, tourism and research activities in NyungwePark, Volcanoes Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks will be suspended until further notice as a preventive measure against the transmission of COVID19.”
RDB states that although it is still unknown if animals can contract coronavirus, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are known to be susceptible to infection with human respiratory pathogens.
While all the three parks will be closed, Akagera National Park will continue to operate with the ministry of health monitoring measures in place.
The first case of coronavirus in Rwanda was identified on March 14th, 2020 on an Indian citizen who arrived in Rwanda from Mumbai, India. Ever since, newly infected patients have been increasing reaching 17 on March 20th, 2020.
On Wednesday, March 18th, 2020, the ministry of health announced a complete air travel ban for 30 days starting March 20th, 2020 at 11:59 pm, local hour. Only cargo and emergency flights will keep operating.
Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) has recently announced that due to coronavirus outbreak, at least 20 meetings which were expected to be held in Rwanda had been canceled bringing along an estimated $8 million loss. In June this year, Rwanda is expected to host 147 meetings including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) earning $88 million.
Since patient zero was identified in Rwanda on March 14th, 2020, newly infected patients have been increasing reaching 17 by March 20th, 2020.
In a message posted on Twitter, President Kagame commended Jack Ma for his determination to lead the fight against coronavirus.
“Thank you Jack Ma and Jack Ma Foundation for your generous donation of test kits delivered in Kigali today. This is a huge shot in the arm and a much-needed contribution in our work to stop the spread of coronavirus. I know the people of Rwanda join me in gratitude.”
The donation will allow Rwanda to strengthen preventive measures against coronavirus, test and treat more people. Currently, only 1200 people have been tested of the virus.
On March 16th, 2020, Jack Ma announced he would donate test kits and protective equipment to all 54 countries of Africa via Twitter.
“Africa can be one step ahead of the coronavirus. To each of the 54 African countries, we will donate 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks, and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields.”
On top of the donations, Ma said the Foundation would start working with medical institutions in Africa to provide online training material for COVID-19 clinical treatment.
Apart from Africa, Ma has also donated testing kits to many other countries around the world including Italy, Japan, Spain, and the United States.
Ma is a Chinese entrepreneur whose net worth is estimated at $39.4 billion.
The first case of coronavirus was identified towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China but after suffering a remarkable death toll, China has successfully treated and sent home all coronavirus patients.
However, the virus has spread to many other countries in the world particularly Italy. At least 276, 000 people are reported to have caught the virus while 11,400 died from it, 4032 being from Italy.
Responding to the increasing number of coronavirus patients in Rwanda, the ministry of health has adopted further preventive measures by advising people who have traveled within the past 14 days to practice self-quarantine.
In addition, bars and restaurants will be closing doors by 9 pm for those located in cities and 7 pm for those located in rural areas.
Other measures taken to preventive coronavirus are a complete lockdown on air travel for 30 days. Only cargo and emergency flights will keep operating.
The ministry of health advises Rwandans to keep observing preventive measures to counter further the spread of the virus and to call the toll-free number 114 to report any symptoms.
COVID-19 spreads through direct contact with the infected person, sneezing and coughing. To prevent the spread of the virus, regular hand washing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers or clean water and soap is advised, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoiding large gatherings. In addition, it is important to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Other measures taken by the ministry of health to counter coronavirus are closing all public and private schools as well as higher education institutions, banning public gatherings and advising citizens to work from home.
President Paul Kagame has expressed his gratitude to Jack Ma through his twitter handle on his behalf and the people of Rwanda.
“@PaulKagame Thank you @JackMa and @foundation_mafor your generous donation of test kits delivered in Kigali today. This is a huge shot in the arm and a much-needed contribution in our work to stop the spread of #Coronavirus. I know the people of Rwanda join me in gratitude,” the president tweeted.
Alibaba Foundation has donated a number of assorted items including; face masks, test kits, protective suits, plus ventilators and thermometers to Asian countries, Europe and America.
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Rwanda, the statement says, are monitoring developments regarding the spread and impact of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) very closely.
“We will apply guidance provided by the World Health Organization and we will update member countries in due course”, it concludes.
