The Ministry of Health in the daily update said on Monday 7 positive cases were identified out of 1,083 tests conducted, putting all the total cases to 377.
“New cases are cross-border travellers, especially in Rusizi, who have all been isolated,” the Ministry said, a day after five more cases were recorded in the same district.
The Minister of Health Dr. Daniel Ngamije said on Monday that the positive cases were all people engaged in cross-border activities especially traders and truck drivers traversing Rwanda and DRC towns of Rusizi and Bukavu.
President Paul Kagame on the same day appealed to nationals to remain patient as the government works to contain the cases that resurfaced in the community. He added that the government is aware that the revised plans to reopen have affected many but they are aimed at ensuring safety and averting a possible second wave of cases in the community.
The Ministry of Health also reported that six people had recovered, bringing the number of recoveries to 264 while active cases are now 114. So far 69,151 tests have been conducted since March and only one death recorded.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has confirmed that the two Belgian diplomats have been recalled by their government in reaction to their act of trivializing genocide, organizing a commemoration function on a different date without consulting or informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as is the practice.
The Rwanda government has always commemorated Belgian para-commandos among victims honored during events held during the commemoration period of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The Belgian para-commandos that were in charge of providing protection for the then Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingyimana, were captured and taken to Camp Kigali on the morning of April 7 and massacred by soldiers who accused them of having shot down President Habyarimana’s plane the previous evening.
For 26 years, April 7 has marked the beginning of ceremonies to pay tribute to the victims of the genocide during which one million people were killed in three months. Usually, the tribute to the Belgian peacekeepers takes place on April 8, organized by the military section of the embassy.
The date of April 6 is however problematic, because, corresponding to the anniversary of the attack on the plane of President Habyarimana, it is used for political purposes by certain circles of the Rwandan diaspora.
The National Mourning Ceremony for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi takes place on 7 April every year and other subsequent ceremonies are organized by stakeholders in conjunction with competent national authorities.
Some of the key symbols observed during commemoration ceremonies like the lowering of the national flag to half-mast are provided for by the law and thus cannot be done without following the right procedure.
After the scam event which took place on 6 April 2020, the Government of Rwanda protested to the Government of Belgium which decided to recall the two diplomats.
Murigande’s retirement request was approved by the University of Rwanda where he worked as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda (UR) in charge of institutional advancement in the past four years.
The news of Murigande’s retirement took social media by storm, as organizations, teachers, colleagues, and students were wishing him well in his future plans.
Apart from serving in the education sector, Murigande has also represented Rwanda in Japan in addition to other ministerial portfolios like Education, transport, communication and foreign affairs.
Kagame reminded leaders that though results-oriented leadership requires a high level of commitment and discipline, challenges such as the Covid-19 crisis can make their responsibilities heavier, yet offer learning opportunities.
“Difficult times such as these make your work even more challenging. It requires us to work in unconventional ways. But it also teaches us important lessons we can apply in difficult times or in normal times. There is no reason we will not prevail,” he said.
The president added that when leaders take an oath, they commit to working towards transforming the country and that when they accomplish what is expected of them in an exemplary way, Rwandans benefit.
“All of us leaders should always uphold that when it comes to fulfilling our duties in public service, we should not confuse our own interest with that of the country,”
“When you take the oath to fulfill this duty, it means that you accept this heavy responsibility to work for your country and our people and to transform what we have into even more resources,” President Kagame said.
Among the leaders who took oath are Manasseh Nshuti, the State Minister in charge of East African Community Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze the State Minister for Agriculture.
While President Kagame was comforting all Rwandans who were set to start working on Monday but couldn’t due to sudden changes, he urged Rwandans to remain patient and vigilant.
This is following a decision by the government to put on hold plans to reopen more sections of the economy, including travel between provinces and resuming of motorcycle public transportation means, which were supposed to be restored today.
“It is important for citizens to understand the measures that are being taken to fight this virus. What it requires of us is not just to wait for one day or time we can predict, none of us can say we know the date this will end,”
“Things are not only dependent on a set date; it is also dependent on what happens in that time. When there are new developments, we have to re-evaluate if our predictions still stand. That is why we have chosen to take more time,” he said.
He urged all citizens to be patient for a few more days as the situation is reassessed and new measures issued so as to ensure the safety of all people even as the country looks to reopen key segments of the economy that remain closed in averting the spread of COVID-19.
“I ask you to be patient; every institution is working to confront this virus while also finding ways to return to a normal life. We will do everything we can and leave no solution unexplored. I believe that nothing can stand in our way,” President Kagame said.
Kagame thanked Rwandans and the leaders for their continuous cooperation in ensuring that the Covid-19 pandemic is defeated and reminded them to continue working together to completely eliminate the pandemic.
The announcement changes to resolutions of the recent cabinet meeting that stated that June 1 was the day these restrictions that have been in place since March 21 would be removed.
“After reassessment, transportation between provinces and the City of Kigali, as well as passenger moto services will remain closed until further notice in the interest of public health”.
The statement also said that new Covid-19 measures will be announced by the cabinet on June 2.
Rwanda so far has 370 confirmed cases, of which 256 have been discharged from treatment centers after recovery. The country also recorded the first death of this pandemic on May 30.
The Ministry of Health in new updates said that the new cases consist of returning residents, and cross-border truck drivers and traders.
The Ministry also stated that patients are in isolation and their contacts have been traced.
The number of confirmed cases is 370, of which 256 have recovered. The total number of conducted tests in Rwanda is 68,068 since the Covid-19 outbreak in March.
Rwanda has eased a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, allowing some businesses to resume operation.
According to the Ministry of Health’s daily update, after being critically sick, the patient decided to return to his home country and, upon arrival, was admitted to intensive care treatment at a specialized Covid-19 facility but unfortunately was not able to make it; he passed away due to severe respiratory complications.
As of May 30, 2020, the coronavirus number of confirmed cases stands to 359 of whom 250 have fully recovered. The active cases stand at 108.
So far Rwanda has eased a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, allowing some businesses to resume operation. It is expected that on June 1 motorcyclists will also begin to transport passengers, cross-provincial movements will also be permitted after more than two months under restrictions.
The population is still urged to abide by Covid-19 precautionary measures such as regular washing of hands, self-distancing and wearing face masks when in public or multi-family compounds.
All taxi motos operating in Kigali will start using only cashless payment platforms when charging their clients using MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda digital currency platforms.
This goes in line with government plans to transform payment systems for taxi moto operators to cashless as defined by the vast success of the “Tap-and-go” payment system used on public commuter buses in Kigali.
Firms such as Yego Moto, Pascal Technology, and Mara Phone have already started rolling out the technology.
The new cashless payment system will see the 146 moto co-operatives across the country equip their fleet with GPS-enabled devices that calculate distance covered and the fare which will allow regulation of prices.
This could also reduce the common haggling for fares between taxi-moto riders and passengers often blamed for overcharging trips.
Only motorcyclists working in upcountry routes are exempted from meters for now but they are expected to use cashless payments as well.
Among other directives, passengers will be required to have a piece of cloth to wrap their heads before putting on a helmet to reduce physical contact with the protective gear which is shared by passengers.
RURA is also urging passengers who can afford their own helmets to procure them for use when using the common means of transport.
Maintenance of hygiene measures such as sanitizing hands and helmets were also encouraged in directives given, as well as social distancing in parking. Face masks are mandatory for both passengers and riders.
The fact that taxi motos are resuming operations will improve transport operations across the city allowing movement to be more convenient, flexible, and affordable in comparison to cabs.
For taxi motos to resume work, about 1,000 of them have been tested for Covid-19 as the baseline, in a move government says is to ensure there is no vulnerability.
Yesterday Health Minister Dr. Daniel Ngamije said that sample testing of Kigali taxi moto drivers is ongoing to establish a baseline, ahead of safe return of motos on 1st June.
The minister also said that in order for all taxi motos to resume passenger transportation, they will be required to sanitize their helmets, carry hand sanitizers, and wear face masks just as the passengers.
In collaboration with Pascal Technologies, the government is distributing pro bono 10,000 motor meters to all taxi moto riders in Kigali.
“We plan on distributing these meters to all taxi motos in Kigali. This will take us another week and then we embark on other regions afterward, said Pascal Ndizeye, the CEO of Pascal Technologies.
According to a press statement issued by WHO, the Foundation will be supporting the Organization’s efforts to address the most pressing global health challenges.
The newly unveiled foundation whose goal is to broaden WHO’ donor base is legally separate from the organization.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said that development is An important part of WHO’s future success is broadening its donor base and increasing both the quantity and quality of funds at its disposal.
“The creation of the WHO Foundation is part of WHO’s transformation and an important step towards this goal, and towards achieving our mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.”
Akamanzi will serve alongside Bob Carter and Professor Thomas Zeltener; she welcomed the move and said on her Twitter account that the birth of WHO Foundation is a crucial addition to ongoing efforts to address global challenges.
The Foundation,which has its Headquarters in Geneva, will support global public health needs by providing funds to WHO and trusted implementing partners to deliver on the Organization’s “triple billion” goals.
Among other duties, the WHO Foundation will simplify the processing of philanthropic contributions in support of WHO and make such contributions possible on all aspects of health and WHO’s mission.
“The work of the WHO is vital for both safeguarding and promoting global health – a role that has become all the more crucial in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The WHO deserves a strong, independent, external advocate who can support and strengthen its impact,” said Professor Thomas Zeltner, Founder of the WHO Foundation.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO Foundation will initially focus on emergencies and pandemic response, according to a press statement.
Dr. Ryan said that while cases are declining in many countries, they are still increasing in Central and South America, South Asia among others.
He remarked that epidemics often come in waves, which means that outbreaks could come back later this year in places where the first wave has subsided. Dr. Ryan said that there is also a chance that infection rates could rise again more quickly if measures to halt the first wave were lifted too soon.
“When we speak about a second wave, classically what we often mean is there will be a first wave of the disease by itself, and then it recurs months later. And that may be a reality for many countries in a few months’ time,” Ryan said.
“But we need also to be cognizant of the fact that the disease can jump up at any time. We cannot make assumptions that just because the disease is on the way down now it is going to keep going down. We may get a second peak.”
Alternatively, countries should continue to put in place the public health and social measures, the surveillance measures, the testing measures and a comprehensive strategy to ensure that we continue on a downwards trajectory and we don’t have an immediate second peak,” he said.
![The World Health Organization [ WHO] has appointed Clare Akamanzi, RDB CEO as one of its founding members of a newly created foundation,](https://en.igihe.com/IMG/jpg/clair-akamanzi-2-d4e54.jpg)
