The Ministry of Health said in a statement that the new cases relate to the Rusizi cluster and have been isolated and contacts traced.
On Thursday, the total confirmed cases reached 410, with 280 and two deaths.
Prompted by the increasing of figures in this district, on Thursday, the government decided to impose a two weeks total lockdown in Kamembe town of Rusizi which includes nearly four sectors.
In a statement released on this Thursday 04,Jun 2020, the government decded that following the assessment of the Health Ministry, effective today, residents of Kamembe including sectors of Kamembe, Mururu, Nyakarenzo and a part of Gihundwe must Stay at Home(lockdown) for at least the next two weeks.
“Public servants, private operators should work from home, except those offering essential services,” the statement reads.
Shops, markets, barber, beauty salons, garages, car wash, construction of houses and boat activities have been suspended; the only allowed services are those offering hygienic, food and health necessities, together with petroleum products and other essential products.
Restaurants were also allowed to employ a limited number of workers, only for takeaway services; while fishing and swimming on Lake Kivu have been prohibited.
Unnecessary movements, except for essential motives are prohibited; also movements between the part of Rusizi district under lockdown and the rest of the district which is not under total lockdown have been prohibited, except for health services.
The ministry urged Rusizi district citizens to keep respecting all measures that were put in place in order to prevent the COVID-19 spread and to report any incident on 114.
The new cases relate to the Rusizi district cluster, and have been isolated and contacts traced. Rusizi district borders Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Though, Rwanda and DRC have agreed to restore trade activities cautiously, the new cases of coronavirus could be a major setback on efforts to bring life back to normal.
This outbreak has resulted in two districts, Rusizi and Rubavu, to remain under lockdown as public transport and moto-taxi operations resumed on Wednesday.
Residents of Rusizi and Rubavu districts are not allowed to move outside their respective districts as health workers and officials work around the clock to contain the spread of the virus.
Rwanda has so far registered 2 deaths, 271 recoveries, leaving 124 active cases.
The supplies were donated directly from China’s People’s Liberation Army as part of the two countries’ military-to-military ties. They include disposable medical masks, surgical masks, medical N95 respirators, medical safety goggles, disposable one-piece protective gowns, infusion pumps, infrared thermometers, among others.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Ambassador RAO Hongwei, while handing over the equipment to the CDS, said that the supplies are meant to support Rwandan people and the military’s effort to fight the coronavirus.
“The donation will help the Rwandan side to improve the capability to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a sign of profound and friendly relation between China and Rwanda,” He said.
“The Chinese side attaches great importance to China-Rwanda military to military ties which is an indispensable part of our bilateral relations. Both sides have frequent exchanges and co-operation on UN peacekeeping, anti-terrorism, humanitarian relief, epidemic research and also public health sector. I strongly believe that with strong support from China and from around the world Rwanda will overcome the pandemic at an earlier date,” the Ambassador added.
Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura, Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff thanked the People’s Liberation Army for the gesture, saying it is another sign of continuing to strengthen the existing excellent relations between the two armies.
“In this particular moment of this pandemic of Covid-19 we can work together to find a solution to this problem. And the donation we have received today shows that if we put our efforts together we can definitely fight and overcome this challenge.” Gen. Kazura said
Cabinet meeting on Tuesday took new decisions to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, allowing motorbikes and public service vehicles to resume operations except in Rusizi and Rubavu districts.
The ease comes at a time when the number of infections continues to rise with 384 cases and two deaths.
While on National Radio, Minister Shyaka said that Rwandans should not wander anyhow but be more vigilant and to comply with the established regulations.
Prof Shyaka said that the resumption of travel between provinces does not mean that everyone should go even those who don’t have important things to do. The main coronavirus protection is to stay home.
However, the Western Province border districts of Rusizi and Rubavu are to remain under lockdown after several cases were recorded in their respective boundaries.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, taxi-motos are permitted to carry passengers except in Rusizi and Rubavu districts.
“Public and private transport between provinces shall resume except movement to and from Rusizi and Rubavu districts. Transport of goods and cargo will continue with no more than two people on board,” the statement reads.
When the government announced a total lockdown in March, there are thousands of Rwandans that got stuck both upcountry and in the capital city. They have been waiting for this day of lifting this travel ban.
The government emphasizes that the population keeps observing safety and prevention guidelines at all times.
The curfew remains, prohibiting movements from 9 PM to 5 AM as it has been.
The public and private businesses will continue with essential staff while other employees continue working from home.
All resumed services must continue adhering to health guidelines from health authorities (hand hygiene, mask-wearing and social distancing). All traders are required to accept digital payments as an alternative form of payment. These measures will be reviewed after 15 days after an assessment.
The statement explains that the deceased is a 24-year old policewoman who was serving abroad where she fell ill with COVID-19 and was repatriated home in critical condition. She was immediately put in intensive care.
The young victim is announced three days following a 65-year-old cross border truck driver who died after he was repatriated from a neighboring country in a very critical condition.
The total confirmed cases have now reached 384, recovery of 269 including 7 new recoveries; bringing the total active cases to 113.
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.
