It will start with drivers passing through the northbound lane, that is, from Mombasa in Kenya to Kigali.
The decision comes after Rwanda’s new Coronavirus patients were spotted for days, with most of the truck drivers who cross the border.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Ngamije Daniel on Monday while on National Television, said that they had already agreed with Uganda and Kenya to set up a system for checking, exchanging information, setting up drivers’ parking lot, and more.
Dr. Ngamije said every driver who travels across borders will be tested first and confirmed that he is not infected. The testing is performed by a certified laboratory and will be given a 14-day driving license.
The Minister of Health said that from Mombasa to Kigali there will be a designated space for the drivers so that they do nor mix with other members of the public.
As of Monday, June 1, a total of 377 people had been infected with coronavirus in Rwanda, including 262 who had recovered, 114 who are still sick, and one death.
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.
Lake Rwampanga and Cyambwe in the Nasho Fisheries Zone have remained closed.
The Director of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Mathilde Mukasekuru, said that the fact that the lakes had been closed for some time was part of a plan to increase fish production in line with planned breeding in the Eastern and Northern provinces lakes, as well as Lake Karago in the Western Province.
Rwanda currently produces about 35,000 but targeting to harvest 124, 000 tons per year by 20 24.
The minister reiterated the need for stringent punitive measures on Monday. Shyaka said that ways through which coronavirus is transmitted are well known, making it easy to avoid and prevent but which calls for restraint and discipline.
”So the task is to make everyone feel that they are the protectors of their health, their family and the country.”
“Secondly, as local leaders, we feel that the lives of Rwandans are in our hands and that strengthening prevention measures is our priority; so how we work together, and how we compel them to comply with these guidelines, is a great responsibility we have to pursue,” he said.
Some of the measures taken include wearing face-masks whenever one goes to a crowded place, washing one’s hands frequently with clean water and soap and avoiding crowding.
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.
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.
“As we wait for the new guidelines on the way forward, we call for the usual compliance on any restricted movements and practices, and maximum observance of safety and health guidelines until further notice,” RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera emphasized.
“These measures are in the interest of the health and safety of all people living in Rwanda against the pandemic of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).”
He commended the high level of compliance over the past months and called for the continued spirit of observing guidelines and reporting violators, who may hamper the government efforts against the virus.
“Our responsiveness to the directives and strong partnership is inevitable to win this fight against the pandemic.”
He emphasized the importance of respecting traffic rules and regulations to prevent accidents and operate while observing recommended guidelines against COVID-19, including sanitizing, washing hands before boarding, wearing face masks and distancing in the public service vehicles.
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.
The operation is part of the intensified fight against illegal fishing on water bodies across the country.
Police marine unit Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye said the destructive fishing nets were seized from poachers on Nkombo island in Rusizi District.
The substandard and illicit nets were disposed of in presence of some area residents and members of fishing cooperatives to emphasize the fight against the illegal acts and reporting those involved, ACP Mwesigye said.
“Some of the confiscated nets were banned due to their ill-effects on fish growth. Others are illicit including mosquito nets and kaningini, which kill young fish,” he said.
“Police Marine Unit is there to ensure that people using water bodies for any business do it legally and safe.”
ACP Mwesigye elaborated on the ill-effects of illegal fishing, which can also lead to loss of lives.
“Illegal fishing is dangerous more than what people think. Poachers use substandard and destructive gears, which injure or kill fish. The dead fish can easily become toxic and negatively affect consumers’ lives but also when the injured fish remain in water they can contaminate others which can also die,” he explained.
“These illegal and dangerous fishing practices, therefore, affect aquaculture and fish depletion, especially when using such fishing gears that net and kill even the juvenile fish.”
The commander warned that operations are continuous around the country, and people who will be caught in those illegal acts will be punished.
He further urged communities around water bodies to take the good initiative of fighting against illegal fishing as well as other crimes that can be committed in waters and report whoever is involved.
The law N°58/2008 of 10/09/2008 determining the organization and management of aquaculture and fishing in Rwanda provides that the right to fishing in public waters is only granted by a competent authority, which issues the fishing license.
Any person, who engages in fishing activities without authorization shall be liable to a fine ranging from Rwf50,000 to Rwf200,000 and an imprisonment of 3 to 6 months or one of them, and dispossession of the equipment used.
Article 11 outlaws use of “poisonous substances aimed at stunning, weakening or killing fish; applying explosives; using electromagnetic procedures or electrocution; flashing water with an aim of capturing fish; fishing where water organisms are reproduced.”
