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.
One of the measures includes waiving fees on some online services. For 90 days, starting March 19th, 2020, the Bank will allow Zero transfer charges on BPR to BPR transactions with mobile and internet banking; Zero transfer charges between BPR and other banks transactions with mobile and internet banking and Zero transfer charges for BPR-Mobile Money transactions on Airtel and MTN.
BPR encourages customers and stakeholders to use cashless transactions to curb the spread of coronavirus.
For more information, dial 1500
BPR has also announced that following the notice from the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic and to implement preventive measures taken by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the virus, BPR advises that:
1. While the Bank’s services continue to run as usual, using cashless transactions is important to curb the spread of coronavirus
-* For using BPR Mobile Banking services, dial *150# or download BPR Mobile Banking App from Playstore or App Store
-* Internet Banking services are available
-* Customers who have not yet registered to use mobile or internet banking are advised to visit the nearest BPR branch or dial 1500 for assistance.
-* Customers are advised to use debit cards at all outlets where they are allowed.
This new bundle will offer customers four price options. These include Rwf.500 for a 2-day bundle, Rwf.1500-7 day bundle, and Rwf.5000 and Rwf.15, 000- for a 30-day bundle.
At Airtel our customers come first, based on the consumer needs, they still can enjoy data-heavy and voice heavy bundles.
Making the announcement, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director said that the bundles are immediately available to all everyone in Rwanda. For our potential customers, all they need to do is to buy an Airtel sim card and they get to enjoy the new all in one offer.
“ After carefully looking into our customer needs, our mandate is to tailor-make connectivity needs that fit our customers. This new bundle allows our customers to plan based on their budget.”
“This new bundle is to meet the growing demand for data as smartphone users transition to heavier app usage,” he added.
Customers who call more will have the choice of voice heavy bundles, starting at 2GB and 3000 minutes on Airtel 72,73 and 225 minutes to any other local network. Additionally, you get 500 sms to all Airtel lines.
Other bundles on this option include our 2-day bundle at Rwf. 500, 250MB, 200 minutes (Airtel to Airtel), I5 minutes to any other local network and 50 sms to Airtel lines 073 and 072. For Rwf.1500;750MB and 700 minutes( Airtel to Airtel), 50 minutes to any other network and 150sms to Airtel lines valid for one week. Our highest bundle offer is Rwf.15,000; 15B and 3000 minutes( Airtel to Airtel), 500 minutes to any other network and 1500 sms to Airtel lines valid for one month.
Our value proposition empowers our customers with more convenience and freedom in managing their communication needs.
Starting March 19th, 2020, BNR announced that mobile network operators and banks will allow zero charge transfers on all payments between bank accounts and mobile wallets, zero charges on Mobile Money transfers and zero merchant fees on all POS payments.
While many Rwandans received the news enthusiastically, Mobile Money agents addressed concerns that they will suffer loss because they made a profit from charges on money transfers.
In an interview with Rutagengwa Arthur, MTN Rwanda Mobile Financial Services Senior Manager, he told Radio Rwanda that mobile money agents are safe as charges were waived only for customers but that they will keep receiving commission for all money transfers made.
Mobile money agents told IGIHE that the transfer fees came in handy since commission money was provided only by the end of the month.
BNR waived mobile money charges to prevent physical contact during the coronavirus pandemic.
John Rwangobwa, BNR Governor said that safety comes first during the coronavirus outbreak and that the decision to waive transfer fees was driven by the need to protect Rwandans during the pandemic by promoting cashless transactions. “BNR encourages using digital channels and contactless mobile payments to curb the transmission of coronavirus.”
BNR will follow up closely on the implementation of the aforementioned measures.
Since the first coronavirus patient was identified in Rwanda, the government has taken various initiatives to counter further spread including closing public and private schools, higher education institutions, prohibiting public gatherings, imposing a complete air travel ban and postponing court hearings and prison visits.
Rwandans are advised to be careful not to believe scammers who pretend to be RIB officers and collect money from prisoners’ families “to put their names on the list of prisoners who will be released as a preventive measure against coronavirus.”
RIB also advises Rwandans not to welcome into their homes, scammers who pretend they work with the ministry of health and who lie they were sent to spray houses with “coronavirus repellent”.
Currently, 11 patients tested positive with coronavirus and are receiving appropriate medical care.
RIB urged Rwandans to call the toll-free line 166 to report any suspected scamming activity.
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
On Thursday, March 19th, 2020, the two patients developed symptoms including fever and cough and were immediately put in quarantine while further tests were being conducted.
Dr. Nteziryayo told IGIHE “We have tested the two patients and sent blood samples for results but in the meantime, we will be providing adequate care to them. Symptoms such as fever and cough cannot be taken lightly especially during the coronavirus outbreak.”
Dr. Nteziryayo said that although one of the patients has Chinese employers, it is not an important factor given that they haven’t been to China recently.
On March 19th, 2020, the ministry of health announced that no new infection was identified and that the number of coronavirus patients remain at 11 in Rwanda. All the patients are currently in quarantine and receiving appropriate medical care.
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.
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.
On March 19th, 2020, following inspections in the city of Kigali which found an abnormal increase in prices of some food products, intentional use of unapproved weighing scales and issuance of illegal invoice, MINICOM reiterated law 35 relating to competition and consumer protection. Businesses were advised to avoid hiking prices.
After inspections, MINICOM fined 24 companies in Kigali which increased prices on maize, rice, maize flour, sugar and cooking oil.
The announcement posted on Twitter on Thursday, March 19th, indicated a number of business people were fined during inspections made on March 18th, 2020 at different Kigali markets and trade centers.
Article 27 and 29 governing internal trade states that “businesses which are found guilty of imposing high prices can be imposed an administrative fine, require the culprit to repay the profit unduly benefited from the buyer and suspend the culprit’s activities for a maximum period of 3 months.”
