Following the surge in new COVID-19 cases and deaths, the virtual Cabinet Meeting of 14th July 2021 reviewed the national directives on preventing the spread of the pandemic and imposed lockdown in Kigali city and eight districts including Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana and Rutsiro.

The new directive will take effect from Saturday, July 17 till July 26.

Speaking during a post cabinet meeting press conference held on Thursday 15th July 2021 to shed light on new directives to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Minister Habyarimana explained that only factories producing frequently used essential items will operate after receiving permission.

“Concerned factories will submit applications to get approval from the Ministry of Trade to continue operations. We shall assess their applications taking into consideration of requirements to limit movements. These include agro-processing factories, and others producing face masks and medical equipment, construction materials as well as sanitary products,” she said.

Habyarimana revealed that employees from approved factories will have to go for COVID-19 tests and respect other directives to contain transmission of the virus.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 51 625 people have been tested positive of whom 36 478 recovered, 14 531 are active cases, 74 are critically ill while 616 have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 403,365 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.

The bird view of Kigali Special Economic Zone.