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 report shows arrears for the fiscal year 2019/2020 and preceding years with creditors from Nyarugenge District topping the list, at Rwf 3.8 billion, followed by Kicukiro with Rwf 1.1 billion.
Others are Gicumbi District, Rwf760 million, Muhanga Rwf407 million, Gasabo Rwf555 million, Burera Rwf293 million, Gakenke Rwf228 million, Ngorerero Rwf190 million and Nyanza Rwf157 million.
The report comes after Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, called on the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to explain where the debt was due, showing that Rwf 31 billion, or 97% of the total arrears are owed by state-owned enterprises and Rwf2.7 billion by local governments.
Edda Mukabagwiza, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament had earlier observed that the issue of arrears had been discussed for some time, so they needed to hear firm measures taken.
“There are people who have not been paid of their debts since 2013, and we wonder why it takes so long to pay off,” she asked.
Ningabire Yves Bernard, Director General of Planning at MINALOC, told the media that government agencies such as REG, WASAC, RTDA are the ones that have the most debt to the public due to their high-cost projects.
In December 2018, the Government indicated that it was in the process of repaying more than Rwf30 billion in domestic debt.
Ningabire explains that the government has tried to clear the arrears, with Rwf 15 billion left but that it keeps on accumulating due to expansion works in the construction of infrastructures.
“I know that Rwf 30 billion is cumulative, carried forward from 2018 but we are paying, at the same time signing other relocation agreements. For example, since then, local authorities have paid Rwf 5.9 billion while the government has released about Rwf10 billion.”
The money released was paid to about 8,417 residents.
Ningabire explained that some late payments are due to lack of proper documents by claimants such as IDs, land titles or disagreements between spouses, among other factor.
The President expressed his support for the WHO program in a vignette at his Twitter wall, on March 15, 2020.
President Kagame is one of the heads of state who have joined the Safe Hands program.
“Handwashing is one of the safest ways to prevent Coronavirus. Using soap and water, wash both hands for between 40 and 60 seconds. Remember to wash in front, back and between fingers. Remove the soap with water. Dry your hands with a special cloth, and use it to close the water,” the president advises in the footage.
On 11th March 2020, the WHO declared coronavirus as a global pandemic due to its rapid spread in many countries around the world in a short time.
Doctors point out that although coronavirus is a serious disease, it can be easily prevented, by hand washing and stopping shaking hands.
On March 13, 2020, WHO launched its #SafeHands Challenge through its Twitter page to promote cleanliness through proper hand washing in the fight against Coronavirus.
In the footage, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appears to wash his hands with clean water and soap and urges other officials to take pictures and share them with his followers for attention.
“There are a lot of steps you can take to prevent coronavirus, one of which is regular care for hand hygiene, using water and soap or alcohol intended for you,” he said.
After viewing the message, Dr. Tedros thanked President Kagame in Kinyarwanda saying, “Murakoze cyane!” “Thank you very much”.
He said via Twitter: “Thank you, brother, for agreeing to join the #SafeHands challenge! We are pleased with your help, efforts, and management in the fight against # COVID-19! ”
Five Coronavirus cases have already been reported in Rwanda, the Ministry of Health said.
One of the resolutions was to spend at least two weeks preventing its spread, with churches closed, prayers at home, weddings suspended and schools stay closed.
Coronavirus has already been reported in 155 countries, 161,000 infections and about 6,000 deaths.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Rubare Village, Rurenge Cell, Remera Sector in Gatsibo District.
The man had been in conflict with his wife for some time and was often rescued by authorities and neighbors. Their domestic disputes also involved suspected promiscuous behaviors.
On Sunday, Nihaba tried to sell a cow they were given under the Girinka program but the wife did not consent. The husband got mad at the wife’s decision and killed her with hoe-hit.
Remera Sector Executive Secretary Niyonziza Félicien has told IGIHE that the couple had a lot of misunderstandings.
“We learned that a man had killed his wife by hitting her with a hoe. We established that they had a lot of misunderstandings but they had presumably reconciled. They have four children, so at night we heard that a man wanted to sell a cow given to them but the wife refused so he beat her with a hoe to death.”
He further added that after killing his wife, Nihaba immediately went to the Sector and handed himself over to the security forces, telling them that he had killed his wife.
The suspect is being held in custody at Rugarama Police Station as investigations get underway while the body of the deceased has been taken to Kiziguro Hospital for autopsy.
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.
A notice from the embassy released yesterday reads: “Following the participation of the person infected by the virus COVID-19 at a meeting at the Embassy, the Belgian Embassy in Kigali will be closed until March 28th, 2020 following guidelines from the local authorities and as a precautionary measure.”
During its closure, the embassy will not process any visa request and passengers are advised to postpone their travel or contact the EU mission of their destination for help.
The first patient of COVID-19 in Rwanda is an Indian citizen who arrived in Rwanda from Mumbai, India on March 8th, 2020. The patient who currently serves in a UN mission in Rwanda reported himself to a health facility on March 13th, 2020 after he developed symptoms including fever, cough and difficulties to breathe.
Dr. Ngamije Daniel told the media that patient zero did not show any symptoms upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport. He is currently receiving medical care along his wife and gatekeeper.
Yesterday, the ministry of health announced 4 more cases of COVID-19 in Rwanda making up a total of 5 infected people.
The announcement released by MINISANTE on March 15th, 2020 reads that the 4 new cases include a 34-year-old man who arrived in Rwanda from South Sudan on March 6th, 2020; his 36-year old brother who arrived in Rwanda from Fiji on March 8th, a 30-year old Rwandan with no travel history and a 22-year Ugandan citizen who arrived in Rwanda from London.
All the newly identified COVID-19 patients have been quarantined and are currently under treatment. Authorities are conducting further investigation to trace all contacts the patients might have had since their arrival 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.
The announcement released by MINISANTE on March 15th, 2020 reads that the 4 new cases include a 34-year-old man who arrived in Rwanda from South Sudan on March 6th, 2020; his 36-year old brother who arrived in Rwanda from Fiji on March 8th, a 30-year old Rwandan with no travel history and a 22-year Ugandan citizen who arrived in Rwanda from London.
All the newly identified COVID-19 patients have been quarantined and arr currently under treatment. Authorities are conducting further investigation to trace all contacts the patients might have had since their arrival 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
The announcement comes after the first case of COVID-19 in Rwanda.
The patient is an Indian citizen who arrived in Rwanda from Mumbai, India on March 8th, 2020. He is currently receiving appropriate medical care after he reported himself to a health facility on March 13th.
New measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission include that all places of worship are closed starting March 15th and that all prayers shall be conducted at home.
Schools and higher education institutions will close on Monday, March 16th, 2020 and employees shall be working from home when possible and after consulting their employers.
Additionally, large gatherings such as weddings and sports activities will be postponed until further notice while the number of people attending burial ceremonies should be kept minimal.
Businesses and restaurants will not be affected by the new measures but customers are advised to keep a reasonable distance between each other.
In an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Prof Shyaka Anastase, Minister of Local Government confirmed that all students from public or private schools as well higher education institutions will go home starting Monday, March 16th, 2020.
The Ministry of Education will advise on how to handle the untimely dismissal from schools.
Other measures are that all unnecessary travels should be avoided and that public transport should not be overcrowded.
The Ministry of Health advises anyone who might have COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cold, cough or difficulty to breathe to call 114 for support instead of leaving their homes to seek medical care.
Dr. Daniel Ngamije, Minister of Health confirmed the Indian patient who tested positive with COVID-19 was tested upon arrival in Rwanda and that he showed no symptoms of the virus at the time. The patient checked himself into a health facility in Kibagabaga on March 13th, 2020 and is currently receiving appropriate care.
The patient who currently serves in one of United Nations missions developed fever, a headache, and cough on March 12th, 2020 and started losing energy.
As a measure of precaution, Ngamije said the patient’s wife and gatekeeper are also kept under surveillance at the hospital for possible COVID-19 infection. Authorities are currently conducting further investigation to trace all contacts the patient might have had since his arrival in Rwanda.
In a tweet he made Saturday, March 14, 2020, the president called for calm, focus and discipline, complying with safety guidelines that have been issued by the Ministry of Health.
“Rwanda has registered its first #COVID19 case. As emphasized by others, panic in this situation does not help. Focus and simple but effective measures are key to keeping each other and everyone safe,” he tweeted.
President Kagame also sent out a message of sympathy to the world where the virus has had ravaging effects. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and their loved ones. We wish strength to the health workers on the frontlines & quick recovery to all patients.
The Ministry of Health Saturday announced that one Indian citizen has been identified to be infected with coronavirus, having arrived in the country on 8 March from Mumbai.
In a statement the Ministry says: “The patient did not show any symptoms of the disease on arrival, but on 13 March was tested positive. The patient is receiving medical care, responding well and has been isolated from other patients.”
The Ministry says its officials have traced d all the people and places the patient made contact with and carried out the necessary tests and measures to ensure the no other people have been affected and get the situation well contained.
“All people in Rwanda are requested to continue observing the precautionary measures issued by health officials and, especially, practice polished hygein, avoid crowds, wash hands regularly and share any information in case of suspicion on toll-free number 114″
