On March 16th, 2029, the European Union announced a complete shut down on all Schengen Area Borders, as an extreme measure to prevent the Coronavirus from further spreading in the borderless area.
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s resolution to ban entry to the US for Schengen area travelers.
President Macron confirmed that all travelers to the European Union (EU) and Schengen countries will be banned for 30 days starting Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 at noon.
“The travel ban was triggered by a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 patients in the EU and Schengen countries and banning travels is not only a preventive measure but also a way to avoid putting unbearable pressure on our health systems.”
Macron said that French citizens still in foreign countries can go home and reminded those in France to remain isolated to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The embassy of France in Rwanda advised French citizens in Rwanda to go back home before stricter bans are imposed and due to continuous flights suspension by various airlines across the world.
“All French tourists are immediately requested to leave Rwanda and inform the embassy about the airline they flew with.”
On Monday, March 16th, 2020, Brussels Airlines announced that all flights to and from Rwanda will be suspended starting Wednesday, March 18th, 2020.
In France, the number of newly infected coronavirus patients triples every day. It resulted into France banning all major businesses in the country to operate for 15 days.
5423 people have so far tested positive for COVID-19 whole 127 died from the virus.
French top health official Jerome Salomon said on March 16th, 2020 that the partial lockdown was imposed to curb the outbreak of the epidemic and put less pressure on the health system which is almost at capacity.
The announcement was published by the RRA on March 16th, 2020 via Twitter and involves many other preventive measures to be observed by taxpayers including using e-payment for custom duties and fees and declaring all imports and exports online.
Taxpayers who have not yet registered for e-payment services can approach their respective banks for support.
“For taxpayers who have already bought cars which are parked in the customs warehouse, acquisition of plate numbers and customs clearing will be done by their agents.”
In addition, customs exemption procedures will be done online via https://sw.gov.rw
Motor vehicle services request for vehicle duplicate documents and certificate for motor vehicle/cycle ownership is suspended for 2 weeks.
To all businesses, EBM installation and training will be conducted online but EBM local audit will continue to work as usual.
RURA urged the public to avoid all unnecessary travels and if not possible to clean their hands every time they onboard a motorcycle.
Lt. Col Patrick Nyirishema, RURA Director General called upon all taxi-moto drivers cooperatives to avail soap and clean water at park stations as a cautionary measure against COVID-19. The measures are set to start being implemented starting today, March 17th, 2020.
RURA announced the new preventive measures after the Ministry of Health announced that the number of coronavirus cases has reached 7 in Rwanda.
The ministry of health advises Rwandans to keep observing preventive measures to counter further 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.
Rwanda has taken various preventive measures to counter the spread of the virus including closing all public, private schools, and higher education institutions, prohibiting mass gatherings and postponing social events.
Closing schools, churches and other places where many people meet came into effect on Saturday when the first person was diagnosed with coronavirus in Rwanda.
The Ministry of Education in Rwanda shouldered the burden of transporting students home. Trouble dawned for those from Burundi studying in Rwanda in the southern who could not travel home.
The Minister of State in the ministry of education in charge of technology, vocational training, and skills, Irere Claudette, told IGIHE that students who did not manage to go home on Sunday evening were many but that now only 11 remain.
”Yesterday we began the exercise of transporting them from their schools. Announcements show the Burundi border is closed and so students or others it seems may not be allowed to enter the country. We have accepted to accommodate them as usual.”
We have not had the actual number. We have now a few from the southern province. As we continue getting more from other provinces, in the evening, we will have an estimate of how many they may be. Some schools in Kigali had accepted to accommodate students. We only have to tighten cleanliness measures. In Rwandan style, we have to be by their side, feed them as it has been at their own schools.”
The process of returning students home began in the southern province, one said to have more students than others equivalent to 40% of all students in the whole country. Vehicles to transport them became few hence resuming the activity on this Monday.
Irere who was speaking from Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo where students are being received from their respective schools said: “that is the work, we shall leave when all will have gone.”
There is news going around that some people tried to enter Burundi from Rwanda. It was confirmed all had to be quarantined for two weeks. This is when one can be confirmed contracted Coronavirus. In those days all signs and symptoms will have become obvious.
There is news that those who managed to enter Burundi from Rwanda were parked in military vehicles numbering 300 and taken to Ngozi in a place called “Paramedical” and quarantined to avoid transferring Corona Virus into the country.
Alternative news is that they were denied food and water; no enough sanitary equipment hence maltreatment.
They were however intercepted at Bunagana border post by the DRC soldiers on 15th October 2018 as they returned from the meeting in Kampala that had been organized by a Ugandan minister in charge of regional cooperation, Philemon Mateke, delegated by president Museveni, also attended by leaders of RNC of Kayumba Nyamwasa.
La Forge and Abega confirmed what transpired in the media that Mateke was the coordinator in the plan to merge working methods of RNC and FDLR, the outfit made of militia responsible for the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
In the meeting, Mateke represented Ugandan interests, Nkaka and Nsekanabo those of FDLR while Frank Ntwari and Rashid Bari those of RNC. Ntwari is the brother in law of Kayumba Nyamwasa and commissioner for youth in RNC.
Bazeye, 54 years of age, said that he and Abega were at first told they had a journey to Kampala by Major General Omega aka Pacifique Ntawunguka, who usually briefed them; He was at the time deputy chief of FDLR.
He said: “Omega summoned both of us and told us we were going to Kampala. You are going to meet the leaders of RNC; lend your ears to what they want to say and you will agree to what they will say.”
Abega, 47, added that in the morning of the following day, 14 October 2018, having arrived at Kisoro they used false travel documents as DRC citizens.
At Kisoro they were received by one Tito Gisesa. In FDLR he is known as Lt Col Nkuriyingoma and works on the Ugandan desk and is on the payroll of Mateke as confirmed by Bazeye.
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Having received them, Gisesa immediately led them to Hotel Umubano in Kisoro town. What everyone knows in that area is that that Hotel belongs to Mateke.
Abega said: “we rested in that Hotel until nightfall and boarded a bus to Kampala.”
Abega, Bazeye, and Gisesa arrived in Kampala in the morning. They immediately headed for Gisesa’s home at Nakulabye, rested and had lunch.
In the evening, Mateke picked them and they were taken to the meeting.
The majority of people question how a minister in Uganda government uses his official vehicle to transport people belonging to a rebel organization that has vowed to disrupt security in another country. They wonder how far Ugandan leaders want to go working with terrorist organizations that want to disrupt Rwanda.
Bazeye said that upon entering Mateke vehicle, he immediately asked him and Abega: “ FDLR, are you ready to work with Abatutsi?” the answer was “yes”.
Mateke immediately said: “It is good, I have a message for you from Museveni.”
Analysts say the aim of merging FDLR and RNC based on mutual understanding, was very much supported by the Uganda government to hoodwink the masses that the war against Rwanda government was for all Rwandans not based on ethnicity.
Bazeye and Abega said they promised those present that FDLR was ready to work with RNC in every way. To them whatever would render them oust the government of Rwanda was welcome. Mateke is said to have immediately smiled with tremendous pleasure because of that point. The two leaders of FDLR thanked Uganda Government that took the decision to let them meet RNC. They agree Mateke promised them he would relay their message to President Museveni.
Mateke said: “This is the first meeting, better things lie ahead in this collaboration.”
Abega revealed that when the meeting was drawing to a close, Mateke told them that the next meeting was to let them meet Kayumba himself.
Frank Ntwari and Rashid on behalf of RNC were happy with how the meeting was conducted.
Bazeye and Abega said that after the meeting in Serena, that took few hours, Mateke gave them transport money and they thanked him. They then went to the place where they would board a bus to Kisoro that evening. When they reached the border that is when they got arrested by DRC soldiers.
Ron Adam, Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda confirmed the embassy was closed on March 15th, 2020 via Twitter, in a message which read.
“Our Embassy will be closed starting tomorrow. We shall work from home for the benefit of our two countries, Israel and Rwanda. Any urgent consular service requests shall be addressed. Let’s hope for a quick back to normalcy.”
On Sunday, March 15th, 2020, the Ministry of Health announced that the number of COVID-19 cases had reached 5 while 160,000 cases have been identified across the globe.
The ministry of health advises Rwandans to keep observing preventive measures to counter further spread of the virus and to call the toll-free number 114 to report any symptoms.
Rwanda has implemented stringent measures to control the virus including suspension of events that would attract big numbers of people.
The closing of different activities and other steps will doubtless have consequences on many businesses as sales are to register a slump.
The government began consultations with the institutions concerned so that those whose businesses got affected are facilitated with simplified modalities of paying taxes and servicing bank loans.
Hakuziyaremye announced that consultations have begun.
“We have consulted RRA on taxes. You know this month of March is when institutions, industries, and business people pay corporate taxes. This is to ensure that those who cannot pay because of lack of enough income due to poor customer turn up are not penalized.”
She adds: “It is being analyzed to see different levels, industry, a business person and the losses incurred, how much, how we can we help so and so. PSF promised to show us areas where we can help them on Monday the 16 2020. It does not mean we will agree to whatever but those liable to losses will be helped in the area of taxes.”
Hakuziyaremye explained that those with bank loans would be considered given that they may not pay as scheduled.
She said bank loans are also a challenge that needs to be addressed banks may continue to demand monthly repayment yet the receipts will have fallen below the usual. She, therefore, emphasized they are consulting with banks and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) to see how they can intervene so that businesses do not collapse.
The Minister cautioned against hoarding and hiking prices for those businesses that are still open. She also reiterated the importance of proper hygiene and keeping the social distance in order to keep the loop curve of coronavirus as low as possible.
Germany has closed its borders with five neighbors as European infections mount, the U.S. is moving closer to a nationwide shutdown and the Philippine island of Luzon is under strict quarantine.
Meanwhile, the U.K. is seeing a backlash for what critics say is a dangerously slow response.
{{What about a vaccine? }}
While companies and researchers around the world are racing to develop one, as well as treatments, a Massachusetts biotech firm is launching human immunization trials today in Seattle.
Currently, apart from tragic human consequences, the world is facing an economic recession. Rwanda will not be spared of the devastating economic effects brought about by Coronavirus.
Since the virus was identified in Wuhan, China last year, experts predicted a slowdown in the global economy which will cost $1 trillion only in 2020.
Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions (MICE) is one of the leading sectors in the economy of Rwanda. From July 2018 to February 2019, Rwanda earned $52 million (Rwf 46 billion) from MICE.
Among the major meetings that have been postponed due to Coronavirus is the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) meeting which was scheduled in Kigali in May, 2020 but has been postponed between February 16th and 18th, 2021.
In an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Minister of Trade and Industry said that the ministry advised business owners in the MICE industry to allow postponement until the Coronavirus is contained on a global scale and in Rwanda.
“Currently, we have requested the postponement of 5 meetings as the government of Rwanda looks for a solution to counter the spread of Coronavirus. We advised hotels and restaurants which were expected to host visitors to allow postponement with the promise that business will be back on track once the virus is contained.”
Despite MICE cancellations, preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) are still underway. The final decision on whether to host CHOGM or not will be announced with regard to the actual state of the virus spread in April 2020.
Due to rightfully imposed bans and restrictions, the supply of goods and services will be impaired and factories around the world are likely to face losses. In Rwanda particularly, the spillover effects of the lockdowns are starting to be felt since most of the products which were imported from China remain docked at foreign ports.
Hakuziyaremye said “Given that 22% of our imports were from China, we are constantly consulting with business owners to find an alternative source as the virus is getting contained. For the time being, we will resort to importing from Turkey, Egypt to counter the scarcity of goods on the Rwandan market.”
In the heat of the outbreak, many countries around the world have imposed import bans meaning Rwanda is restricted to export goods while the virus prevails.
“Rwanda as a commodity exporter will likely suffer from the bans and restrictions especially for perishables such as flowers and chilli. However, all that matters for now is protecting our citizens by preventing further spread of the virus.”
Hakuziyaremye said that in the meantime, business owners which have been affected by COVID-19 outbreak are receiving support from the ministry mainly regarding tax and loan payments.
The new park station will solve the problem of congestion given that all buses used Kigali Bus Services (KBS) small station. The project was brought about by requests from Rubavu residents who claimed that above all infrastructures which are currently under construction, a park station could also come in handy.
Nsengiyumva Jean Paul, a driver in Rubavu said “The size of KBS park station is a hindrance to the movement of people and vehicles. The transport society I work for particularly is not allowed more than one parking spot.”
Uwamahirwe Solange, a passenger said that due to the smallness of the park station, travelers have nowhere to sit or stand while waiting for their buses. She mentioned that the park station should be given the highest priority to allow freedom of travelers.
Habyarimana Gilbert, Rubavu District Mayor said that the construction of the park station is in line with the government’s master plan of establishing strategic secondary cities to Kigali.
The secondary cities will be developed in a bid to redirect employment to rural areas and control the continuously growing rural-urban migration.
As stated in Rubavu district development strategy released on February 7th, 2020, the park station will be constructed in Bugoyi cell, Gisenyi sector commonly known by the locals as Nyakabungo Driving School.
