MINEDUC executed the preventive measure following a notice from the Prime Minister’s office published on March 6th, 2020 advising Rwandans on COVID-19 prevention.

Dr. Uwamariya Valentine, Minister of Education requested all schools to avail soap and clean water for students to wash their hands before entering class and other common spaces and before meals. "Moving forward, announcing special programs or communicating information to students will be done in classes instead of at the assembly."

MINEDUC advised teachers, students, and other personnel in schools to immediately seek medical care if they have been in contact with a person coming from COVID-19 pandemic countries and have symptoms including fever, flu or cough.

School leaders were reminded to alert authorities if any student, teacher or personnel shows symptoms of the virus.

Even though no case of COVID-19 has been identified in Rwanda, the government has taken proactive measures to prevent the disease and treat it in case it spreads to Rwanda.

Some preventive measures already in place include cancellation of all public events and gatherings and the distribution of soap and clean water or hand sanitizers in all public institutions and places.

The government of Rwanda advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travels especially in countries where the virus prevails.

The first case of COVID-19 was identified towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. Statistics show that 115,000 were diagnosed with the virus across the globe while 4200 died from it.

On March 10th, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was identified in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has urged all schools in Rwanda to cancel school assembly to prevent the spread of the virus.